Mid September at Blenheim Palace – Woodstock.
The build up to the weekend was fairly straightforward. We collected the vans and did the usual loading for hog roasts in Woodstock. Then there was a call from a good friend Katharine. In the past we have done work for Katharine. These have been for various films, Sherlock Holmes 2, Gulliver’s Travels, Jack and the Giant Slayer. This time the request was at Blenheim Palace again. Katharine wanted a small suckling pig. I therefore immediately sorted for Wednesday, possibly Thursday. The Director would let us know exactly when. Then about half an hour later there was another call. There was a change of plan and three little piglets were needed. Not your usual hog roast in Woodstock. Well after a lot of huffing and puffing I sorted, however this time they were needed for Tuesday….. possibly! Quite obviously these film stars would have to be ready. Sure enough I sorted with a bit of persuasion. The little piggies were cooked on Tuesday, just in case they were needed. The difference is that they are not fully cooked and totally inedible. They have to be coloured with various dyes and then gently ‘cooked’ to provide some colour. It is slightly unconventional but it is what is required. Once they were cooked they were stored in the fridge. I then waited for the call for a quick trip to Woodstock. The decision was that they would be needed on Thursday at midday. They were loaded up and taken to the Palace 
(not in a limo tho’). Once in the courtyard area they were unloaded, paraded past his Lordship’s Bentley, with a hoard of onlookers all ready to eat these half cooked pigs. At least they looked tasty, but not fit for eating. Oh yes and what was the film I hear you ask…. Transformers, yes the blockbuster. I had to ask as to the role of the poor little piggies. Apparently the stuntman had to crash land on the platter that carried the piglet. Not much of a star role! The others were stand ins…
Hog Roast Buckinghamshire