At Hog Roast Shipley, we’ve always believed in making a good first impression – tasty food, a friendly team, and maybe a bit of cheeky banter thrown in for good measure. With Ducati Leeds, it seems to have done the trick, because they keep inviting us back. We like to think it’s because we strike the right balance between hearty food and relaxed, approachable service.
Now, to be fair, motorbikes aren’t really our area. If you asked us to name one, we’d probably get it wrong. Food, though – that’s where we shine. It’s what we love and what we’ve built our name on. Ducati has seen that too. Over the years they’ve trusted Hog Roast Shipley with their catering needs, and it’s become one of those easy-going partnerships where we know exactly what to bring to the table.
So when Ducati teamed up with Triumph last month to put on a test ride day for the West Yorkshire Ducati Owners Club, we were ready to go. Jon, our franchise manager, picked up the call, recognised the client straight away, and got stuck into planning. From timings to service layout, he had it all under control.
The event itself was buzzing. 100 riders turned up, engines roaring, conversations flowing, and – would you believe it – the Yorkshire sun even made an appearance. There was a real buzz in the air, and it gave us that extra bit of energy behind the serving tables.
We had a four-hour service slot, but things ran like clockwork. By the time riders started queuing, the hog was cooked to perfection. Golden crackling, tender meat, the lot. Guests watched as Jon carved, and their faces said it all. Once shredded, the pork went into soft rolls and wraps, with stuffing, scratchings, and a touch of applesauce to finish.
The feedback was fantastic, but the highlight for us was helping a guest with mobility challenges. Instead of making them queue, we served them from their car – a drive-through hog roast! It was a simple adjustment, but the smile on their face made our whole day.
All in all, another brilliant event with Ducati. Hog Roast Shipley drove home proud, smelling faintly of roast pork, and already looking forward to the next one.
