‘Butchers of London’ Parson’s Nose say that its biggest organic birds are not in high demand as they serve up to 28 people, and the birds adhere to strict rules to be ‘organic’
The bird feeds upto 28 people
Is this Britain’s most expensive Christmas turkey? It is organic, 11-12kgs in weight… and yours for £456.
‘Butchers of London’ Parson’s Nose said its biggest organic birds were not in high demand because they serve up to 28 people. So they really are big birds for the biggest of festive celebrations. And they have the price tag to match.
They are allowed to roam free for months before the festive season and adhere to strict rules on diet in order to be labelled organic. Their outdoor life means they are leaner than birds kept in a barn and the meat is tastier.
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Parson’s Nose organic bird
Fortnum & Mason and Harrods offer festive feasts for the traditional Christmas lunch at £350 for a ‘six-bird’ roast and £450 for a full meal for six, respectively. Tesco’s most expensive turkey appears to be around £36, though you have to check for organic or free range birds.
So the £456 turkey offers value by comparison if you are catering for a large number of diners. And it comes with its own thermometer.
Asda’s extra large basted frozen turkey at 9kg costs £25.71 and serves 11-15 people. You could buy about 17 of them for £456. Though they are ‘farm assured’, they are not organic.
The turkey is for big family occasions
Parson’s Nose customers are told: “The Walters family have been farming at Bower Farm for over 100 years, so they know a thing or two about this glorious bird. At the top of the Walters priority list is animal welfare and the turkeys are all slow growing breeds. Their diet is home grown cereals and they are absolutely free of any growth promoters. They spend their days exploring the downland meadows and trees.
“At night, they are tucked up in a cosy warm straw bedded barn. Truly Free Range birds.” Parson’s Nose has been working with Walters for years because their “quality is unparalleled.” The firm added: “The cooking thermometer means ‘you can never overcook it’.
The selling points for the organic bird
A spokesperson for Parson’s Nose said that the organic label meant the birds were reared in ‘very controlled’ conditions. They are the optimum conditions to produce the best meat and flavour. “If you don’t need organic, then our free range bird is cheaper for the same size,” they added.
“At 12 kg, it also feeds up to 28 people so that size of bird is rarely sold. We are not a big supplier. But these are really healthy birds as they use a lot of energy running around compared to birds that are barn reared. That means months outside. The meat is very flavourful.”
Harrods Luxury Christmas dinner with turkey crown includes all the trimmings at £450, an ‘ultra gourmet dinner for six guests’. The Fortnum and Mason six-bird roast serves up to 20 and has Turkey, Chicken, Duck, Guinea Fowl, Pheasant, and Partridge. Each is ‘carefully selected for their distinct flavours and textures’.
Dining and Cooking