Our Story
This is a recipe, that, in 120 years, has travelled from England to New Zealand, and back again. From verbal accounts and diary extracts, we have determined the history of this precious sauce.
Where it all began
It began at the turn of the 20th century, when a young family, by the name of Faddy, embarked on a voyage across 3 oceans from England to the land of the Kiwi.
The Journey
It took them 6 months to reach their new home, where working the frontier was tough going. Every day the family worked from daylight 'til dark, so food was their source. Fortuitously, Mrs. Faddy had a family secret: the recipe for a sauce she had brought with her from England, and kept under closest guard.
Time passes
Over a century later, the recipe was passed to Henry, a canny importer of racehorses, who, each year, travelled to New Zealand in search of the finest stock. There he would meet his good friend, ‘Faddy’, grandson of the first Faddy settlers, who still guarded their secret fiercely.
"The Good Stuff"
On each visit Faddy would give Henry a bottle of ‘the good stuff’ before his trip home. With almost every breakfast, Henry would spread the exotic sauce sparingly, trying, in vain, to make the bottle last the year…
Secrets revealed
But, finally, in 1997, Faddy gifted the secret to his friend.
Bringing it home
In November of that year, a cargo plane laden with industrial freight – and 3 racehorses – made the flight from New Zealand. 2 days later, the horses arrived on a farm in Leominster, Herefordshire – but they were not alone..! With them was the recipe, at the bottom of a leather bag, written, partly in code on the torn-out page of an old diary.
Back to the present
Since then, inspired by the original recipe, the sauce has been crafted with the utmost care by the ‘Sauceror’ – only for family and friends… But now, this year, we are proud to share Herefordshire Sauce with all... Enjoy!