Search for forgotten family foods

Is there a meal you remember your mother, or even your grandmother making that you never seem to see these days? If there is, the traditional tearoom at Norbury Wharf is keen to hear about it – and it could win you a free day out for 10 people on the beautiful Shropshire Union Canal.

The tearoom, already a favourite with visitors who enjoy the waterside views and observing the passing boats, wants to revive interest in the forgotten foods of the past.

All customers and internet followers are being asked to dig deep in their memories to recall the meals that delighted them as children.

It might be a meal you recall sharing you're your parents as a child, such as faggots and grey peas or a family speciality.

It could be the proper version of dishes that have become a shadow of their former selves such as steak and kidney pudding or Victoria sponge. Whatever it is you can help the tearoom to start a collection preserving the flavours of the past.

Lorraine Bailey, who runs the tearoom, said: "We operate in a very historic location here at Norbury on a canal system over 200 years old and we have a lot of customers who appreciate the traditional way of doing things.

"With fast food and ready meals we are in danger of forgetting some of the great flavours of the past so we want peoples' recipes and memories of when they enjoyed a particular speciality.

"The one we like best will win a trip in one of our day boats for up to 10 people and we are hoping to serve up some of the recipes in the tearoom as specials to see what our customers think of the forgotten foods of Britain. We’ll name the dishes after those who told us about them."

Norbury Wharf’s Ltd’s new magazine is already featuring some forgotten foods – currently Bath Chaps, a type of cured pork, made with pig cheeks.

If you remember a delightful dish from your youth, just e-mail Norbury with the recipe and something about your memories of eating it. Send your e-mails to info@norburywharfltd.co.uk and put Forgotten Foods in the subject line.

Alternatively write to them at Forgotten Foods, Norbury Wharf Ltd, The Wharf, Norbury Junction, Staffordshire ST20 0PN.

The one that best hits the spot will win a free trip on one of Norbury’s day boats for up to 10 people, during which you can explore the lovely Shropshire Union Canal.

This competition closes at the end of March and the winner must take their trip mid week during April 2012.

If all this talk of traditional dishes has whetted your appetite you may want to know more about the Norbury Wharf tea room.

It may be traditional but it is far from being in the dark ages, with free WiFi access and a free internet terminal.

It is a favourite with cyclists and walkers as is fully licensed and always offers a range of homemade cakes.

It is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea and customers can catch up with the canal news from the shop copies of the waterways magazines and national newspapers.

Advice for potential and existing narrowboat owners is always on-hand from canal experts Simon Jenkins and David Ray.