Several Cumbrian food and drink producers are celebrating after picking up Great British Food Awards.
Launched in 2014, the Great British Food Awards put a spotlight on the finest artisanal food and drink across the UK.
This year’s judging panel featured some of the country’s most influential chefs, critics, and food personalities, including Simon Rogan, Raymond Blanc, Sally Abé, Vivek Singh, and more, offering entrants the rare chance to have their work tasted by true industry leaders.
Lovingly Artisan, based near Kendal, scooped two bronze awards for its Northern Blisscuts in the savoury biscuits category and its Ginger & Barley Biscuits in the sweet biscuits category.
Catherine Connor, co-owner of Lovingly Artisan Bakery, said: “To be recognised in not one, but two categories at the Great British Food Awards is an incredible honour for our team.
“These awards are a celebration of the very best in UK food and drink, and for us, they represent a chance to showcase our craft, creativity, and commitment to innovation.
“Having our biscuits judged by such an esteemed panel, including some of the UK’s most influential chefs and critics, is both humbling and thrilling, and the entire team is over the moon.’’
Hawkshead Relish’s Brinjal Aubergine Pickle was awarded gold in the condiments category, while its Kimchi Ketchup secured silver award in the table sauce category.
Maria Whitehead MBE, co-founder of Hawkshead Relish, said: “We are thrilled to receive both a gold and silver award for our products at the Great British Food Awards.
“Being recognised nationally alongside some of Britain’s finest food producers is a real achievement for the entire team, and we’re incredibly proud.”
Shed One Distillery’s Chilli Fest Gin, made with locally grown chillies, won bronze in the flavoured gin category.
Zoe Arnold-Bennett and her husband And dream up, create, distil, and bottle every last drop of gin, vodka, and spirit liqueurs from their quirky distillery – a former old calf shed – in Ulverston.
Zoe said: ““It’s been a while since we entered Chilli Fest into a tasting competition, so we’re chuffed for it to win a bronze in the Great British Food Awards.
“To make Chilli Fest Gin, we distil a fruity spicy gin in the traditional way before infusing fresh, locally grown chillies to produce a soft, warming heat.
“Chilli Fest Gin is a little bit special as the chillies are grown by Andy’s one-time ‘stage wife’, Becky, at Erda Botanicals in Carnforth.
“Back in the early days of Shed One, Andy and Becky played Master and Mistress Ford in the Northern Broadsides production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, so it’s great for them to still have that ‘fiery’ connection – albeit through the medium of our Chilli Fest Gin!”
Grasmere Distillery’s Sugar Beet Vodka earned a bronze award in the vodka category and its Golden Rum also took home bronze in the rum category.
Co-founder and head distiller Paul Abbot said: “Securing two Great British Food Awards is a huge moment for us as a distilling team.
“It confirms that our grain-to-glass approach resonates with industry experts and gives us confidence as we continue to refine and develop our spirits.”
Among the Cumbrian winners were:
- Gold: Hawkshead Relish’s Brinjal Pickle
- Silver: Hawkshead Relish’s Kimchi Ketchup
- Silver: Wagtail Kitchen Ltd’s Lynster Lamb Pie
- Silver: Eden Yard Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil
- Silver: Heritage Meats’ Herdwick Hogget Shoulder on the Bone
- Bronze: Lovingly Artisan’s Ginger & Barley Biscuits
- Bronze: Grasmere Distillery’s Golden Rum
- Bronze: Grasmere Distillery’s Sugar Beet Vodka
- Bronze: Shed One Distillery’s Chilli Fest Gin
- Bronze: Heritage Meats’ Herdwick Hogget Leg on the Bone
- Bronze: Lovingly Artisan’s Northern Blisscuts
