Our Visit to Bannisters Yorkshire Family Farm

To celebrate British Food Fortnight 2025 Hannah Pegg, Head of Marketing and Kate Edgecombe, Head of NPD, took a trip last week to visit one of our most valued partners, Bannisters Yorkshire Family Farm. They’re the brilliant team behind our jacket and roast potatoes, millions of which we plate up every year! And what a visit it was... sunshine, scenery, and a reminder of just how much care goes into every spud we serve.

The Bannister family have been farming potatoes on the Yorkshire Wolds for over 100 years, and their reputation for producing the very best baking potatoes is second to none. We were welcomed with classic Yorkshire hospitality. Warm smiles, proper cups of tea and a tour that gave us a glimpse into the art and science of perfect potatoes.

Inside their factory we were struck by the pride of their talented team. Potato perfection doesn’t come easy. Even potatoes from the same variety, or the same farm, can behave differently depending on where they’ve been grown, or whether they’re new or late season. Bannisters and their team have truly mastered this balancing act, baking and freezing potatoes in a way that locks in their quality and flavour. It’s a process where food science meets craftsmanship, and they nail it every single time.

After a flawless tasting session featuring their delicious Garlic and Rosemary Roast Potatoes and new Hasselback Potatoes, we headed out to see where it all began: the Bannister family farm. Set amongst the dales in the rolling Yorkshire Wolds and dazzling in the autumn sun, it was the kind of backdrop that makes you fall in love with British farming.

We were warmly greeted by Hilary Bannister, who, alongside her husband Rob, founded Farmhouse Potato Bakers Ltd. to bake and freeze the potatoes grown on their farm to preserve the best of the crop. After introductions we delved straight into the hands-on part. Picnic baskets and flasks were loaded, wellies donned and off we went in convoy across the fields, happily soaking up stories and expertise from our hosts along the way.

Guided by Zoe and Marie, the Bannister daughters and joint MDs, we rolled up our sleeves and picked potatoes from the chalky soil. We were delighted to unearth some absolute whoppers (and only speared one or two with the fork)! It was a reminder that farming is as much about patience, knowledge and respect for the land as it is about hard work.

Our visit was warmly wrapped up with a picture-perfect picnic. Staying true to their love of the landscape and passion for farming, we weren’t about to dine in the boardroom on such a stunning day. Picture this: still-warm scones baked by Hilary Bannister herself, a thermos of tea, and a selection of sandwiches, all enjoyed in the autumn sunshine on their family land. What a way to do business!

The Bannisters’ story is one of innovation as much as tradition. Back in the 1980s, Rob Bannister had a lightbulb moment: instead of struggling with storage challenges at the end of the season, why not bake and freeze the potatoes to preserve the very best of the crop? From that spark came the thriving business we see today. One that has expanded to include jackets, roasts, mash, loaded potato skins and much more.

Today, Zoe and Marie are building on that legacy, continuing to grow the business with exciting new products while keeping heritage at the core. Through it all, their focus remains the same: great-tasting British potatoes, baked in Yorkshire.

At Cuisine Centre we’re proud to serve Bannisters’ potatoes because they represent everything we stand for: quality, care, and a celebration of fantastic food. From the soil of the Yorkshire Wolds to the fork on people’s plates, every step of the journey is shaped by passion and pride.

Love British Food Fortnight is all about recognising the incredible farmers, producers, and families behind the food we enjoy every day. For us, the Bannisters are the perfect example, proving that with dedication and vision, even something as humble as a potato can become something extraordinary.

So next time you tuck into one of our fluffy jackets or crispy roasties, you’ll know there’s a little bit of Yorkshire sunshine and a whole lot of Bannister family love in every bite.