MP’s pledge as NSW butcher struggles to keep up with demand of unusual crumbed ‘devon scallops’
A Labor MP has made a commitment on behalf of the NSW government over the unusual product flying off shelves across the state.
A Labor MP has vowed to serve up a NSW butcher’s unusual food creation at a government Christmas party as the item flies off shelves across the state.
People have taken to social media to share videos of crumbed “devon scallops” for sale at the Dubbo Meat Centre Meat & Seafood (DMCMS).
Devon is a type of processed meat popular in school lunches across Australia.
The Hello Sport Podcast Instagram page shared a video about the product, with host Eddy Simpson claiming it had “blown (his) socks off”.
“Just when you thought devon couldn’t get any better, the devon scallop drops,” he said.
“That feeds the whole family, the Dubbo Meat and Seafood Centre, baby, they get it!”
DMCMS manager Lewis Varty said he came up with the idea years ago with a friend.
“A few years back a mate of mine and I, we were bored one day,” Mr Varty said.
“We pretty much had this idea because we were eating devon and tomato sauce sandwiches … because we were broke.”
The pair wondered what devon would taste like crumbed, prompting Mr Varty to bring their creation in for sale at the DMCMS three years ago.
The unusual product has since shot up in popularity, with Mr Varty selling more than 20kg this week alone.
“We’re struggling to keep up with it at the moment,” he said.
“I didn’t know people ate so much devon.”
Mr Varty said sales are going “a lot better than (he) thought” it would, adding he hopes everyone likes it.
“It’s just crazy, really — we never thought much of it, it’s just one of those things people might like to try and now it’s a must-have.
“It’s pretty weird (going from) selling a couple of trays a week to selling 20kg of it a week — it’s pretty out of the blue, but good to see people trying something different.”
Even Labor MP Stephen Lawrence — who is a member of the legislative council for Dubbo, Coota, Orange, Bathurst and Byron — has shared a video of the tasty treat on Facebook.
When NewsWire told Mr Varty a politician had shared a video of his creation, his response was simple.
“The next political party barbecue, I reckon I know what we should offer them and serve,” Mr Varty said.
Mr Lawrence has since revealed to NewsWire the devon scallops will in fact make an appearance at a political event this year.
“I think it’s hilarious, and I’m willing to make a formal commitment on behalf of the NSW government that we will be serving this product at our Christmas party at the Orana branch of the Labor Party,” Mr Lawrence said.
“Someone just sent it to me on TikTok … I just thought it was funny so I shared it.”
Mr Varty, who has worked at DMCMS for about five years now, said the best way to serve the snack is on the barbecue.
“We’ve had a couple of people that have deep fried, oven baked, air fried … Everyone’s a little bit different,” he said.
“I reckon they’re best on the barbecue or shallow fried.”
DMCMS have six-packs for sale between $5 and $8 each, while a kilogram of the delicacy is $10.
Eager consumers can get a taste by going in store, however the scallops will be available online as of Monday.
A new product is also on the cards, with Mr Varty revealing a gourmet garlic, chilli and cheese crumb flavour is set to be brought in soon.
Mr Varty extended his thanks to all those who have tried the crumbed devon scallops.
“Thanks everyone for giving it a crack,” he said.