It’s sometimes easier to appreciate that which others have than realise what you have yourself. Take food, for example; we crave for the cuisines of the Mediterranean, of Asia, of South America; we envy the ingredients of Italy, India and Mexico; yet right here, in God’s Own Country, there are foods and drinks that can rival any of the aforementioned. From top local ales to glorious Yorkshire puddings, with meats, sweets and veggies in between, this is our celebration of Yorkshire food at its finest.

Whilst it’s not in a Yorkshireman’s nature to lavish praise upon oneself, there has been one notable Leeds spot shouting out about the area’s produce for well over a century. Kirkgate Market is the largest covered market hall in Europe, and is filled with hundreds of permanent stalls selling an array of goods. Within these are greengrocers, fishmongers, butchers and bakers, all stocking joyous local food done proper.

A stroll around the characterful space will provide a true Yorkshire atmosphere and offer a wide Yorkshire selection. At Neil’s there are seasonal English apples, cherries, beans, broccolis and plenty more northern goodness. At Tarbett’s there’s turbot, sole, mackerel and other fresh fish from the east coast. At Malcolm Michaels there are locally reared lamb and chicken amongst much meat. And at Bluebird there’s bread made from local organic flour and brownies using chocolate from York Cocoa House.

Supplying the above are farmers and growers across the county. Swillington Organic Farm do what they say, farming organic meats for restaurants and retailers. This nose to tail butchery keep free range pigs, cattle, sheep and poultry in a glorious setting and are the go-to for top end foodies. Near Tadcaster, another farm doing it right is The Organic Pantry. Their fruit and veg can be ordered as a regular delivery and you can also find them and their cauliflowers, chards, radishes, lettuces, leaks and potatoes at various farmers markets across Yorkshire.

Within the county there are certain areas perfect for specific foods. An urban forage or trip to the expansive countryside can reap rich rewards, from wild garlic to edible mushrooms. Famously, the rhubarb triangle is so called due to the nine square mile triangular shape connecting Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell, where conditions make for an abundance of rhubarb growth. Twelve farmers here have successfully registered Yorkshire forced rhubarb as a protected food type, and it can be sampled at the annual rhubarb festival in Wakefield every February. Two other protected foods are the cheeses from Wensleydale and Swaledale, whose creameries make up delicious firm and crumbly cheese that can be tasted on site and are available far and wide.

Of course, the food that initially comes to mind when one thinks of Yorkshire is the good old Yorkshire pudding. This proud county export goes back centuries and remains much loved. The seemingly simple recipe of eggs, flour and milk is obsessed over into making the perfect pud. There are lots of establishments claiming theirs as the best, and there’s no harm in checking them all out! But for starters, we’ll say to try The Yorkshire Wrap Company, who create Yorkshire pudding wraps filled with Yorkshire farmed produce, and Whitelock’s, Leeds’ oldest pub, offering a traditional warm Yorkshire welcome to go with a satisfying Sunday roast.

Whilst we’re talking about the pub, there are few places finer at producing beers than here. The county has dozens of breweries making countless ales, new and old. The likes of Northern Monk and Brew York have succeeded in a relatively short time in taking their cool brands and great drinks out of Leeds and York respectively and into worldwide mouths. Others run micro operations out of garages, or brew from their own bar, some newcomers experiment with flavour combinations, or older stalwarts deliver traditional core ranges. A remarkably high percentage of them are fantastic.

Historically, the Yorkshire brewer that became a household name is that of Joshua Tetley. Having set up in 1822, bitter was brewed on its iconic Leeds site until closure in 2011. Tetley’s decision to move away left a sour taste in Yorkshire mouths, and now many abstain from drinking the stuff which locals claim leaves an equally unpleasant flavour since mass producing elsewhere. Thankfully, other big brewers remain true to their roots, with Sam Smiths operating from its Tadcaster home and owning an array of bargain boozers such as The Angel Inn. With them and the myriad of micros, Yorkshire’s brewing scene now is far healthier than when Joshua left it.

The booze and grub of Yorkshire is notoriously hearty and can be surprisingly refined too. Aptly named York Gin and Leeds Gin are mixing up stunning varieties of the elegant botanical favourite, whilst restaurants such as Skosh, Roots and Home in those cities are elevating local ingredients to high level dishes. Sweets too are mixing the comforting with the fancy, at the likes of Bondgate Bakery in Otley, where top drawer Yorkshire parkin and Yorkshire curd tarts go down a treat.