Not everyone gets to ride off into the retirement sunset with sirens blazing and a sandwich in hand – but Andy sure did.
After 30 years of battling blazes, giving fire safety talks at local schools, and yes, even rescuing the occasional cat stuck in a tree (he swears it only happened once, but we have our doubts), Andy clocked out for the last time this past Friday. And let’s just say: it wasn’t your average “goodbye and good luck” moment.
Friends, family, and an entire crew of comrades packed the fire station for one last hurrah. And what’s a proper send-off for a firehouse hero without a feast that could feed, well, a firehouse? That’s where we came in – Hog Roast Backworth to the rescue (with tongs instead of hoses).
We arrived early, set up quietly, and got to work on what we do best: roasting a whole hog to slow-cooked, crispy-skinned, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The smell alone had people wandering over hours before lunch was even served. And when it came time to carve, all eyes were on Andy – first in line, naturally – for his verdict.
One bite into his hog roast roll (which we’d loaded with pulled pork, crackling, stuffing, and applesauce) and he grinned: “Best hog roast I’ve ever had.” Now that’s the kind of review we live for!
From there, it was a delicious blur. BBQ jackfruit rolls for the plant-based guests, fresh salads, buttery chive potatoes, and charcuterie boards that would be the envy of any Tuscan picnic. People laughed, swapped stories, and snapped photos with Andy.
And just when folks thought it couldn’t get better – Hog Roast Backworth rolled out the dessert wagon. Our handmade profiteroles and dainty cheesecakes served with clouds of fresh cream and ripe berries were demolished quicker than we could serve them
It was a day of celebration, stories, and seriously good food that we were honoured to play a part in it.
So here’s to Andy – firefighter, cat-rescuer, and now, officially retired legend. From all of us at Hog Roast TOWN, thank you for your service… and for loving our roast as much as we do!