Eat Wild enjoyed a remarkable success at this year’s Ludlow Food Festival, becoming one of the standout attractions of the event. Over the course of the weekend, the team sold an impressive 350 wild meat pies, an accomplishment that reflects the growing interest in sustainable, locally-sourced wild game. The pies, crafted using ethically sourced wild meat, drew festival-goers eager to experience something a little different from the usual fare, and the stand quickly became a bustling hub of activity.
One of the festival’s highlights came when renowned television presenter and wildlife enthusiast, Kate Humble, paid a visit to the Eat Wild stand. After meeting the team, Kate couldn’t resist sharing her enthusiasm. “So good to meet you (& your fab mum!),” Kate said with a smile, before adding with her characteristic humour, “The squirrels will feed the five thousand. Shall we have an Eat Wild Fest?!!” Her warm words were a testament to the positive energy surrounding the stand, and her visit only added to the excitement that was building around the wild meat movement.
However, Eat Wild’s presence at the festival wasn’t just about selling delicious pies; it was about raising awareness of the benefits of wild meat. Sarah Gulak, Eat Wild’s, Wild Meat Educator, played a key role in this, spending the weekend engaging with curious festival-goers and handing out samples of wild game. Her passion for the subject was evident in her interactions with the public, and she was delighted by the number of people eager to learn more about the health and environmental benefits of choosing wild meat.
Eat Wild were also lucky enough to be joined by instagram newby, but soon to be sensation, Hugo, a.k.a @thegameglutton for the first two days of the festival, who proved to be an invaluable addition to the team, not just due to his sharp wit, but his knowledge and understanding of processing and cooking with Wild Meat. Hugo brought some “feather on” pheasant and partridge to demonstrate plucking/skinning and butchering birds to the general public, which enthralled many of the public and paved the way for some pretty frank discussions. The meat from the birds was then cooked up in the Slow Food kitchens and handed out as various samples, to the delight of many of the butchery demonstration observers.
Sarah reflected on her experience at the festival, saying: “It was an incredibly rewarding weekend. Handing out samples and educating so many people about the benefits of wild meat was a real highlight for me. Not only were people surprised by how delicious it was, but many were genuinely interested in learning about how eating wild meat can contribute to sustainability and biodiversity. It’s such a natural, healthy option that many people simply haven’t considered before, so to be able to have those conversations and share that knowledge was fantastic.”
Sarah and the Eat Wild team explained to festival-goers how wild meat is not only leaner and healthier than many commercially farmed meats, but that it also plays an important role in managing wildlife populations. The ethical sourcing of wild meat ensures a balance in nature and provides a truly sustainable alternative to more conventional meat options.
The response from the public was overwhelmingly positive. People were excited to try something new and were reassured by the ethos behind Eat Wild’s offerings. The high demand for the wild meat pies and samples highlighted just how much interest there is in moving towards more sustainable food choices, and the Eat Wild team were thrilled to be at the forefront of this movement.
As the festival came to a close, there was a palpable sense of achievement. For Eat Wild, it wasn’t just about the number of pies sold, but the conversations sparked and the awareness raised. The team left Ludlow Food Festival feeling energised and excited for the future. With growing interest and support, the idea of an “Eat Wild Fest” doesn’t seem too far-fetched after all!
For now, though, it’s time for the team to enjoy a well-earned rest. The festival may be over, but the wild meat revolution is only just beginning.
