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Do you love to try new food when you’re away on holiday? Are you intrigued bylocal specialities and impressed by the abundance of fresh ingredients in the different regions of the UK? If the answer is yes and you’re looking for ideas for your next self catering holiday, Dorset should be pretty high on your list. We’re lucky to have such a diverse national cuisine in the UK and it’s one that relies very much on the local produce of each region.Being close to the coast, with the benefit of a milder climate than elsewhere in the UK, this delightful county is a true haven for foodies and famous chefs. If you’re into self catering, you’ll have a fabulous time trawling the markets and shops to pick up fresh local produce and delicious specialities. Here are a few local treats you might want to look out for. Dorset Knobs Who doesn’t love a sugary doughy treat with extra butter? Enjoyed by the local youngsters for many years, this rolled dough bake is best eaten after it has been soaked in tea - the perfect dunker, one might say! With a texture that resembles stale bread or rusks, the name of these moreish treats comes from the distinctive ‘Dorset knob’ button shape they resemble. Often eaten accompanied by blue cheese, the biscuits were traditionally only made during January and February, however nowadaysthey can be bought in most delis, farm shops and independent food outlets all year round. Today there is only one producer of the specialities: the family owned Moore’s Biscuits of Morcombelake, who have made biscuits for over 150 years. The process of baking these delectable delights takes eight to ten hours and involves three bakes. This kind of labour of love might not be one you want to personally try while on holiday, but if you do have some spare time to experiment you’ll be pleasantly rewarded! If your holiday coincides with the first Sunday in May, you can even enter your biscuits into the famous Dorset Knob throwing competition, held in Cattistock, where there are also lots of other accompanying events. Dorset Blue Vinney Fancy a night in with a plate of cheese and some good wine on your holiday? If so, be sure to make the Blue Vinney the star of your cheeseboard. Thanks to Mike Davies, who brought the original recipe back to life in 1980, the local Blue Vinney continues on in the county. As a spin off from the family run cheese business, Mike’s daughter also established The Dorset Blue Soup Co, whose hearty soups make for a delicious lunch, especially when accompanied by some freshly baked bread. You can buy this tasty, ‘picante’ cheese in most delis and farm shops and, as an extra tip, Oxfords Bakery in Alweston also bakes amazing bread made with the Blue Vinney. Cerne Abbas Giant Cookie What’s better than a cookie? A giant cookie! These divine shortbread cookies featuring the country’s famous priapic chalk hill figure were originally created in 1980, and were even sold at Harrods at one time.The production process is quite intensive, however, so it fell by the wayside for a few years, before being resurrected by woman who is a fifth generation of the Fudge family. Today, the National Trust shops are the best place to find these unique biscuit treats. This beautiful county is so exciting when it comes to food, and with countless delicacies to discover in markets and farm shops you certainly won’t go hungry on a self catering holiday. Dorset has something special to try for your breakfast, lunch, dinner and all those times in between! Author Plate Michael Paul is the Managing Director of Michael Paul Holidays, a holiday property agency offering a handpicked range of accommodation in wonderful UK locations. Whether you are looking for family getaways, romantic escapes or any kind of self catering holiday, Dorset is often at the top of Michael’s recommendation list. He and his team will find you that perfect property for an unforgettable trip.
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