Daniel Fairburn shares his passion for producing the best quality free-range eggs for Asda.

<p>When you carefully pop a box of <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/free-range-eggs/asda-extra-special-free-range-golden-yolk-eggs/910002725763?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_eggs-meet-the-tastemakers&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda Extra Special Free Range Golden Yolk Eggs</a> in your basket, give a little thought to Daniel Fairburn. As CEO of Fairburn’s Eggs, the 70-year-old family business in Skegness, his team’s dedication, commitment and work ethic have brought you wonderful eggs ready for poaching, dipping and everything in between.</p>
<p>‘From the age of seven, I’d go to work with my father and my grandfather,’ beams Daniel. ‘They would take me around with them to sell eggs and chickens to local people and at local markets. It was great fun.’</p>
<p>One of Daniel’s earliest memories is of life surrounded by chickens: ‘I was probably about three or four years old, sitting on the back of my mum’s pushbike, as she took me to go and feed and water the baby chicks every morning at one of our farms.’</p>
<img src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/240508-meet-fairburn-egg-producers_GL?scl=1" alt="egg farmers" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p></p>
<p>Precious memories such as these show the expertise and joy lovingly passed down the generations. Founded in 1951 by Daniel’s grandfather, the business started with 150 chickens and eight acres of land. Everything the family has made has gone directly back into the business, making them one of the UK’s largest egg producers and packers; they’ve been a partner of Asda since 2014.</p>
<p>‘Seeing the reinvestment and growth of the business, and the fact that we are always innovating to have the best equipment possible for the welfare of the birds, is very rewarding. We now have two million free-range and organic birds producing more than five to six million eggs each week for Asda alone,’ says Daniel.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h2>LIFE ON THE FARM</h2>
<p>So, what does it take to lead such an incredible operation and on such a vast scale? Daniel reveals all…&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>‘I leave the house most days at 5.30 in the morning and head to the packing centre to check that everything’s going ok with production and there are no issues I need to resolve,ʼ he says. ʻI’ll then go onto one of our rearing farms – we have more than 40 in total – so I go to different ones every day to check we’re on schedule. I head to one of our free-range farms before returning to the factory, which is where I’ll be until 7 or 8 o’clock at night. It’s a long day.’ The quality of the eggs is of utmost importance to Daniel and his team, which includes his two sisters, Caroline Fairburn-Wright, Business Director and Sarah Hall, Milling Director. Fairburn’s free-range birds are fed on an enriched feed diet, which is carefully formulated with the help of a nutritionist to get the correct levels of natural colourings, such as paprika and marigold, giving the yolks that gorgeously deep, rich orange.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/240508-feeding-chicken_GL?scl=1" alt="feeding chicken" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p></p>
<p>‘As long as the birds are kept well, they’re healthy and they experience great welfare then the quality of the eggs reflects this,’ shares Daniel. It won’t come as a surprise then that the family’s motto is ‘Feed the chickens before you feed yourself!’</p>
<p>Once the eggs are laid, they’re collected by a fleet of 30 vehicles and brought back to the packing centre. Here, each egg goes through a rigorous quality-assurance (or grading) process, checking for colour, cleanliness and any damage to the shells before being packed and ready to hit your local Asda. Rather impressively, Fairburn’s can now grade 382,000 eggs per hour.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h2>FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Fairburn’s employs 270 colleagues; at its heart is the ethos that ‘you shouldn’t ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself’. It’s this mantra that sees Daniel getting hands-on and stuck in every day; getting involved in everything from feeding and packing even down to jet-washing the chickens’ sheds.</p>
<p>‘Whenever we’re moving the birds onto the laying farms, I will get up and go out between two and four in the morning to help – that normally happens once or twice a week. For instance, I already know that’s what I’ll be doing on Monday morning.’ There are not many people who would be smiling at the idea of this, but Daniel takes it in his stride.</p>
<img src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/240508-holding-egg-tray_GL?scl=1" alt="holding egg tray" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p></p>
<p>‘I’ve helped around on the farm from an early age – it’s all I know. In fact, my son has been helping me out this morning – I’m pleased to say he’s part of the process already, too.’</p>
<p>With Daniel’s love for his family’s business radiating, one can only imagine what it’s like to see the produce on the shelves of Asda.</p>
<p>‘It’s a nice, proud moment because you’ve seen the process all the way through, you know the birds and the house the eggs have come from. My children love seeing the eggs in store, too. “Fairburn’s are famous”, they say when they see <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/free-range-eggs/asda-extra-special-free-range-golden-yolk-eggs/910002725763?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_eggs-meet-the-tastemakers&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda Extra Special Golden Yolk Eggs</a> on the shelves. They love it because they know how they got here and the work that goes into it,’ shares Daniel.</p>
<p>So, you’ve secured your golden beauties, but how does Daniel suggest you cook your eggs in the morning? ‘We get through at least 30 eggs a week in my house. At the moment, it’s all about scrambled eggs, some smoked salmon, avocado and a couple of pieces of sourdough toast. We also like a good omelette because it’s quick and easy – we have them with mushrooms, peas and onion with a splash of Tabasco. You just can’t beat it.’&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/240508-golden-yolk-eggs_GL?scl=1" alt="Asda golden yolk eggs" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p></p>
<h2>WANT TO PUT OUR GOLDEN YOLK EGGS TO THE TEST?</h2>
<p>Feel inspired to cook something new in the kitchen where our <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/free-range-eggs/asda-extra-special-free-range-golden-yolk-eggs/910002725763?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_eggs-meet-the-tastemakers&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda Extra Special Free Range Golden Yolk Eggs</a> take centre stage. Our <a href="https://www" target="_blank">baked eggs</a> are like an amped up egg and soldiers, with ciabatta toasts for dipping. Become a pasta pro with our <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/classic-spaghetti-carbonara?recipe_id=f83ded26-f81a-11ee-b117-7d5b60d1c1c1" target="_blank">classic spaghetti carbonara</a> recipe topped with crispy  Pancetta and tangy Parmesan – Italy’s finest! Our playful Korean twist on <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/koreanstyle-devilled-eggs?recipe_id=09e630a7-f81b-11ee-b117-a5d56f6e9840" target="_blank">devilled eggs</a> brings all the fun and nostalgia, perfect for a dinner party spread.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Inspired by Daniel’s favourites, keep things quick and simple with our <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/green-veg-and-goats-cheese-omelette?recipe_id=b2b13a77-50a1-11ee-821b-eb923da86dc3" target="_blank">green veg and goat’s cheese omelette</a>. Want to whip up a memorable brunch for a special occasion? Serve our <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/smoked-salmon-and-scrambled-eggs-with-a-glass-of-fizz?recipe_id=8f79dab9-5e7a-11ea-90b4-695262c0aafa" target="_blank">smoked salmon and scrambled eggs</a> with a glass of your favourite drink. Or try our take on <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/golden-yolked-huevos-rancheros-on-waffles-with-avocado-and-a-chilli-salsa?recipe_id=3c9f4717-1b10-11eb-a9fa-137e4014a84f" target="_blank">huevos rancheros</a> with sliced avocado, chilli and those golden yolk eggs served on top of breakfast waffles.</p>
<p></p>
<div style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">
<div style="width: 48%;">
<h3 style="text-align:left;">BAKES EGGS WITH CHIVE AND CIABATTA TOASTS&nbsp;</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/baked-eggs-with-chives-and-ciabatta-toasts?recipe_id=e6e2df45-f81a-11ee-b117-b17571911b64" target="_blank">View recipe</a>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/e6e2df45-f81a-11ee-b117-b17571911b64_Square?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p><strong>Serves:</strong> 4<br><strong>Ready in:</strong> 25 mins<br><strong>Recipe info:</strong> Less than 350 calories, Faff Factor 2/5, Source of Calcium.</p>
</div>
<div style="width: 48%;">
<h3 style="text-align:left;">GREEN VEG AND GOAT’S CHEESE OMELETTE&nbsp;</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/green-veg-and-goats-cheese-omelette?recipe_id=b2b13a77-50a1-11ee-821b-eb923da86dc3" target="_blank">View recipe</a>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/b2b13a77-50a1-11ee-821b-eb923da86dc3_Square?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p><strong>Serves:</strong> 4<br><strong>Ready in:</strong> 30 mins<br><strong>Recipe info:</strong> Vegetarian, Gluten-free, 2 of your 5-a-day, Faff Factor 3/5.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>
<p></p>
<div style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">
<div style="width: 48%;">
<h3 style="text-align:left;">KOREAN-STYLE DEVILLED EGGS&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/koreanstyle-devilled-eggs?recipe_id=09e630a7-f81b-11ee-b117-a5d56f6e9840" target="_blank">View recipe</a>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/09e630a7-f81b-11ee-b117-a5d56f6e9840_Square?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p><strong>Serves:</strong> 6<br><strong>Ready in:</strong> 25 mins<br><strong>Recipe info:</strong> Vegetarian, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Milk-free, Lactose-free, Faff Factor 3/5, High-protein.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div style="width: 48%;">
<h3 style="text-align:left;">CLASSIC SPAGHETTI CARBONARA&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/classic-spaghetti-carbonara?recipe_id=f83ded26-f81a-11ee-b117-7d5b60d1c1c1" target="_blank">View recipe</a>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/f83ded26-f81a-11ee-b117-7d5b60d1c1c1_Square?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p><strong>Serves:</strong> 4<br><strong>Ready in:</strong> 20 mins<br><strong>Recipe info:</strong> Faff Factor 2/5.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p></p>
<div style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between;">
<div style="width: 48%;">
<h3 style="text-align:left;">SMOKED SALMON AND SCRAMBLED EGGS</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/smoked-salmon-and-scrambled-eggs-with-a-glass-of-fizz?recipe_id=8f79dab9-5e7a-11ea-90b4-695262c0aafa" target="_blank">View recipe</a>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/8f79dab9-5e7a-11ea-90b4-695262c0aafa_Square?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p><strong>Serves:</strong> 4 <br><strong>Ready in:</strong> 15 mins  <br><strong>Recipe info:</strong> Source of protein.</p>
</div>
<div style="width: 48%;">
<h3 style="text-align:left;">HUEVOS RANCHEROS ON WAFFLES WITH AVOCADO</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/golden-yolked-huevos-rancheros-on-waffles-with-avocado-and-a-chilli-salsa?recipe_id=3c9f4717-1b10-11eb-a9fa-137e4014a84f" target="_blank">View recipe </a>&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://ui.assets-asda.com/dm/asdagroceries/3c9f4717-1b10-11eb-a9fa-137e4014a84f_Square?scl=1" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>
<p><strong>Serves:</strong> 4<br><strong>Ready in:</strong> 20 mins<br><strong>Recipe info:</strong> Vegetarian, Low-salt</p>
</div>
</div>
<p></p>
<p>Why not try our egg recipes, inspired by Daniel's egg production story, for yourself? Make sure to stock up on everything you need at <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=article_eggs-meet-the-tastemakers&utm_campaign=Good-Living" target="_blank">Asda Online</a> or pop into <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com/" target="_blank">your local store</a>.</p>

Eggs - Meet The Tastemakers

By Asda Good Living,10th May 2024

TAGS

RELATED ARTICLES