Best Brands 2023-24 by Guild of Fine Food

2023-24 edition

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

editorial@gff.co.uk Editor: Michael Lane Deputy editor: Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox Art director: Mark Windsor opportunities@gff.co.uk Sales director: Sally Coley Senior sales account manager: Becky Haskett Accounts assistant: Julie Coates Financial controller: Stephen Guppy Finance director: Ashley Warden support@gff.co.uk Managing director: John Farrand Special projects director: Tortie Farrand Operations & marketing director: Christabel Cairns Marketing & PR officer: Jenna Morice Data strategy & insight manager: Lindsay Farrar Engagement & sales support assistant: Nick Rose Operations manager: Claire Powell Operations coordinators: Chris Farrand, Sepi Rowshanaei Operations & events coordinator: Zara Williams Customer services assistant: Chloë Warren-Wood Chairman: Bob Farrand Published by The Guild of Fine Food Ltd Fine Food Digest is published 11 times a year and is available on subscription for £50 p.a. inc P&P. © The Guild of Fine Food Ltd 2023. Reproduction of whole or part of this magazine without the publisher’s prior permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in articles and advertisements are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. Printed by Blackmore, Dorset

"this magazine exists to celebrate the way our sector repels challenges And finish the year on a positive note." MICHAEL LANE EDITOR

A bit like this issue’s theme, life comes at you in waves. And, in the onslaught of last year’s closing weeks, it seems I made a miscalculation in my introductory piece about how many years we’ve been running Best Brands. I claimed that our end of year special – anchored by our survey of independent retailers – was 11 last year. In fact, it was a year older. teenager. This period on the calendar is typically one me more misty-eyed than usual. If you’re savvy enough to have kept copies of the previous 12 (yes, that is the correct total) editions of this publication, you can reminisce along with me. The short analysis is that much has changed – but plenty has stayed the same. There are many brands that no longer pop up in the survey. They’ve either moved on to bigger markets, departed entirely or been superseded by new “invaders”. There are also lots of retailers that appeared in previous years that have also now left

the premises too. Other businesses, though, have appeared in every single iteration of the survey. See if you can guess which ones before you turn the page and dive into the results. theme in Best Brands (the clue is in the title). Suppliers still have to be excellent at what they do, so that retailers can keep being good at what they do. The thing is, they have to do this now in the face of an even noisier world out there. Wave after wave comes at them (competition, economic challenges, political decisions, keyboard warriors) and it’s far more intense and colourful than any 8-bit alien bleeping threats at your existence. That said, this magazine (and the survey) exists to celebrate the way our sector repels and manages positive note. The sprites may be a little different but the spirit remains the same.

Best Brands Survey

Branding in the digital age

Now in its 13th year, our annual list of best-selling items in delis and farm shops - as voted for by the retailers themselves 4

How should food & drink producers should develop their brand for the modern consumer? 49

FRA Awards Interviews with the retailers crowned best in the country at the Farm Retail Association’s annual awards 29

Emerging Brands Some top retail buyers give us a heads up of what products to look out for in 2024 41

FINE FOOD DIGEST

PRESS START

Award-winners Our round-up of the UK’s food & drink award winners in 2023 57

Must-stocks The best-selling items in each of Fine Food Digest’s Deli of the Month features this year 67

Staff Picks The FFD editorial team’s favourite products of 2023

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

INSERT COIN TO BEGIN

The Best Brands survey is now officially a teenager, so - in our 13th annual poll of buyers - let’s push start to find out which producers and lines made the high score lists across all of the key independent retail categories. Analysis by Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox and Michael Lane

How it works Every brand ranked in this section is here because independent retailers put it here. We asked buyers in delis, farm shops and food halls around the country to name their top-selling lines in around a dozen categories. The survey was conducted by email and

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

telephone during September, October and November 2023. The top-scoring brands in each category – in other words, those mentioned by FFD readers most frequently – are revealed here. Where brands achieved very similar scores we have given them a joint position. FINE FOOD DIGEST

BEST BRANDS SURVEY

For the first time in Best Brands history, a sweet biscuit producer has topped the list, which tallies with anecdotal reports that customers have been buying more indulgent (as opposed to healthy) food this year. That’s not to say Farmhouse Biscuits is a surprise entrant in these rankings but the top spots tend to be contested by purveyors of savoury lines. Peter’s Yard and its sourdough crispbreads make yet another appearance, as does The Fine Cheese Co. and its iconic Toast for Cheese range. The latter is closely followed by its sister brand Miller’s (registered in previous surveys as Artisan Biscuits). The increasing presence of its cannoli range on independent shelves up and down the country is now born out by Diforti making these rankings for the first time – but it still has to share the spot with Scottish duo Island Bakery and Border. FINE FOOD DIGEST

Sweet & savoury biscuits 1st

Farmhouse Biscuits

2nd

Peter's Yard

3rd

The Fine Cheese Co.

4th

Miller’s

Joint 5th

Border/ Diforti / Island Bakery

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

BEST BRANDS SURVEY Fen Farm Dairy’s second time on top shows that last year was no fluke, as Baron Bigod (its British take on Brie de Meaux) continues to be a big hit on UK cheese counters. While some of Bigod’s rise over the last decade may well have been propelled by Brexit (which has hampered the movement of its Continental cousins), it has certainly gained a cult status in its own right. Another flagship cheese that is popular across the UK is Snowdonia Cheese Company’s Black Bomber, and the Welsh maker’s signature waxed cheddar has maintained its presence in this edition of the survey. Colston Bassett’s Stilton remains the most popular blue cheese in the results but there are plenty of other blue varieties popping up as retailers’ top sellers. While all of the farmhouse cheddar-makers appear in the results, Barber’s and Montgomery make it onto the podium, while the data shows a number of artisan cheesemakers on their heels.

BRITISH CHEESE 1st

Fen Farm Dairy

2nd

Snowdonia Cheese Company

3rd

Colston Bassett

Joint 4th

Barber’s/ Montgomery’s

Continental cheese This is a Best Brands, not a ‘Best Styles’ survey, so it’s very rare for there to be a ranking on the Continental side of the counter. As seen in previous years, retailers either aren’t focused on brands and makers, or they don’t report which one it is in their responses. Brie de Meaux remains very popular among independent retailers, with makers Rouzaire and Donge getting several more specific mentions. The most frequently occurring actual brand was the blue Montagnolo Affiné, which comes from Kasereï Champignon in Germany but – again – this data was not specific enough to determine a true winner. The usual suspects are all present in the results: Comté, Délice de Bourgogne, Le Gruyère AOP, Parmigiano Reggiano; and both Buffalo Mozzarella and Gorgonzola Dolce received a fair few mentions, too.

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

Over 4,000 Ambient & Chilled Retail Products

5 UK Delivery Sites

Best Brands No. 1 Distributor 2017-2022*

A BIG

THANK YOU! To all our customers & suppliers for your support in 2023. We look forward to working with you again in 2024. From all at

Let’s Connect

t: 0345 307 3454 e: info@thecressco.co.uk www.thecressco.co.uk

Stay up to date with all the latest news, product and catalogue launches from Cress Co. on any of our social media channels.

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*BEST As voted by the 2023-24 readers of fine food digest BRANDS

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BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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11/12/2023 15:03

BEST BRANDS SURVEY The tea category is a real microcosm of British traditions for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the best performing brands have been tussling it out in these survey results for the past 13 years. There was nothing to separate Taylor’s (propelled by votes for its Yorkshire Tea and Yorkshire Gold varieties) and Teapigs. The latter saw its position bolstered by its Everyday Brew (despite the variety of blends in its roster) – which chimes with a theme seen throughout the data. Clipper, Brew Tea Co. and Miles’ presence, as well as a number of shout-outs for regional traditional breakfast blends, demonstrates that even if consumer behaviours are evolving in other categories, the ‘proper cuppa’ still reigns supreme.

TEA Joint 1st

Taylor’s of Harrogate / Teapigs

2nd

Clipper

Joint 3rd

Miles / Pukka / Brew Tea Co.

CHARCUTERIE Charcuterie may be a classic deli category but it is also a broad church – and varied enough that no clear result could be extracted from this year’s responses. While Italian salamis and Parma Ham, Ibérico ham and Cooking Chorizo emerge as the most common Continental

charcuterie products, neither garnered enough mentions for one specific supplier to gain a ranking. That said, Negroni and Brindisa cropped up several times. There were a clutch of namechecks for British makers, however, showing that home-

grown scene is continuing to gain momentum. Among them, Great Glen, Lishman’s, The Real Cure and Cornish Charcuterie, as well as Salt & Cure and Tempus. In fact, if we were to add up listings for British producers, they would outperform the Continentals. BEST BRANDS 2023-24

BEST BRANDS SURVEY

Chocolate & Confectionery 1st

Tony’s Chocolonely

2nd

Summerdown

Joint 3rd

Choc Affair / Monty Bojangles / Bon Bon’s

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

Ever since it made it onto the Best Brands leaderboard in 2019, Tony’s Chocolonely hasn’t slipped, and is now in its fourth year at the top of the table. Although it is stocked by the multiples, the Dutch-owned brand remains popular in independents – presumably because it has the ethical and sustainable credentials customers want, and the chocolate itself is a proven crowdpleaser. While Summerdown’s answer to the big brand after-dinner mint, Monty Bojangles’ truffles, Bon Bon’s traditional bagged confectionery and Choc Affair’s bars have all graced these rankings before, their presence does demonstrate the healthy level of variety available to retailers in this category. And that’s before you consider the many single nominations for other small producers and own-label items. FINE FOOD DIGEST

Sales enquiries

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Little Doone ™

A huge thanks… to all of our stockists for nominating us for this award once again. Our dressings are made with a passion for great taste, and we love working with each and every one of you – thank you!

An invitation… to those who are not yet stockists, it would be great to work together and share the beautiful flavours of our dressings with your customers. Get in touch for more information about our range info@LittleDoone.co.uk.

Recipe card enclosed for you to keep and share www.LittleDoone.co.uk

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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BEST BRANDS SURVEY Back when FFD started running the Best Brands survey in 2011, coffee was bundled into the same category as tea. But to run a combined hot drinks category nowadays would prevent the emergence of an interesting set of data. Thankfully tea and coffee were separated in our survey quite some time ago and over the years we have tracked the evolution of coffee as an increasingly localised category. Even the most popular of these suppliers in the ranking was mentioned just over a handful of times, with many suppliers only cropping up once or twice in our responses. Many retailers, it seems, prefer to go with a roastery close to them. Little’s has carved a niche for itself as a trusted brand of premium instant coffee, while Grumpy Mule has been supplying independents nationally for many years. Taylor’s reputation and coverage obviously precedes it. But Miles must be an example of how a supplier with a strong regional base (the south west) can thrive - a theory backed up by the brand's presence in the tea rankings too.

COFFEE 1st

Miles

Joint 2nd

Grumpy Mule / Little’s

3rd

Taylor’s of Harrogate

Distributors 1st

The Cress Co

2nd

Cotswold Fayre

3rd

Holleys

Over the last decade, The Cress Co. has grown from its base in Scotland into a national distributor in the UK’s speciality and fine food space. Its first listing in Best Brands was in 2012, and it has held the top spot since 2015. Its continued expansion since then has seen it set up distribution centres further south, invest in a bigger fleet of refrigerated vans, and expand its range – all of which has anchored its popularity in the indie space. Cotswold Fayre and Holleys have appeared in this survey consistently too. The former has been there from survey’s very beginning in 2011 and has innovated in a number of ways, including leading the way on sustainable practices and attaining B-Corp status. Holleys has also continued to expand, admittedly slightly under the radar, but its consistent results in this survey suggest it clearly understands how to service retailers. Beyond the top three, votes were split mainly between a host of specialist importers and cheese wholesalers, but none appeared frequently enough to merit a spot. BEST BRANDS 2023-24

in the ra

BEST BRANDS SURVEY There are no huge surprises in this category but it tends to be an arena where tradition wins out most of the time. As you might expect, it’s a similar set of national suppliers making up the top five, with a little bit of reshuffling. Both the winner Mrs Darlington’s and Cottage Delight have done the preserver’s double by making it into the rankings here and in the Pickles & Chutneys category. But the rankings don’t tell the full story, with own-label, homemade and smaller producers all getting plenty of mentions and demonstrating that local works well for many retailers too. Whether it’s Tiptree’s strawberry jam, Darlington’s lemon curd or marmalade from a host of different producers, traditional flavours and styles dominate the list of top sellers across the responses from retailers. This has been a trend in the category ever since the survey started. Boozy concoctions and preserves made with native British fruits also received a noticeable number of namechecks, so there is potential for slightly quirkier ideas to do well in this space.

Jams & Sweet Preserves 1st

Mrs Darlington’s

2nd

Tiptree

JOINT 3rd

Hawkshead Relish / Rosebud Preserves / Cottage Delight

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

THE ART OF TASTE.

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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MULTI AWARD-WINNING PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATES AND TEAS Brought to you by the Peppermint People www.summerdown.com

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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BEST BRANDS SURVEY Tracklements is the only brand to claim a category top spot in every Best Brands Survey and it has now extended its streak to 13 years on the trot. The lion’s share of its winning votes were accounted for by core items including Sticky Fig Relish, Fresh Chilli Jam, Perfect Ploughman’s Pickle and the alltime classic, Caramelised Onion Marmalade. The winner is the only real constant in this category, which sees a lot of churn in the ranking positions from year to year. Mrs Darlington’s and Cottage Delight are back in the upper echelons again (and have also placed in the Jams & Preserves ranking), after last year’s absence, while The Bay Tree has maintained its status. Highlighting the competitive and diverse nature of the category further, there were a number of smaller and regional suppliers in the data, but none of them received enough mentions to make the rankings. The surprise new entrant this year is Bottlebrush Ferments – specifically the kimchi dubbed The Red One. Not only does this indicate the growth of fermented foods from ‘trend’ to ‘staple’, but it also demonstrates that not everything in this category has to be traditional.

FINE FOOD DIGEST

Pickles & Chutneys 1st

Tracklements

2nd

Mrs Darlington’s

3rd

Cottage Delight

JOINT 4th

The Bay Tree / Bottlebrush Ferments

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

BEST BRANDS SURVEY

After seven years in contention for the top spot, Honest Toil has made it to the top. Many retailers mentioned the producer’s SESI refills, which it introduced in 2019. Brindisa’s Arbequina and North & South EVOs also remain a very popular deli line, as are Seggiano’s oils and vinegars. The latter shares the third spot with Scottish Balsamic dressing specialist Little Doone and Belazu, whose balsamic and 3-star Great Taste winning olive oil were both cited multiple times. Despite plenty of mentions for rapeseed oil as a top seller, no two retailers named the same brand, probably because there’s more scope for selling local producers’ and own label bottles of it.

Oils & vinegars 1st

Honest Toil

2nd

Brindisa

JOINT 3rd

Little Doone / Seggiano / Belazu

Other Storecupboard ingredients In an attempt to corral the smaller categories, we’ve grouped three of them under the ‘storecupboard ingredients’ umbrella, asking retailers which home-baking ingredients, table & cooking sauces and pasta they sold the most of in 2023. Seggiano’s pasta sauces, namely the iconic raw basil pesto, were a clear frontrunner, while Stokes’ condiments and Atkins & Potts’, ‘Dine’ sauces proved popular here too. Oxfordshire’s Wessex Mill led the home-baking category by a long stretch, with organic miller Shipton named enough times to warrant a mention as well. The pasta category showed that even when it comes to the staples, customers seek out premium brands like Garofalo and Seggiano, but that if they can buy locally, they will. Hence the lockdown success of The Yorkshire Pasta Company, which was on a par with Italian brands in terms of mentions.

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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11/12/2023 13:05

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BEST BRANDS SURVEY It doesn’t even need to be qualified with the word “anecdotally” anymore, Torres Truffle Crisps have become a staple in independents up and down the country. The Spanish brand claimed the majority of its winning total through this line, which saw it take the lead in the category for a second year in a row. Compare this ranking to a few years previous and it looks quite different, with some of the bigger brands falling down the pecking order, and in a few cases dropping out of the top four entirely. Thanks to its sustainable credentials and punchy flavours, Two Farmers has cemented its position in the race for British potato crisp supremacy and taken second place on its own. Despite its wider distribution nowadays, Pipers is still popular with independents and has been ever since the survey first ran in 2011, as is Burts. While it may be regional in name, Fiddler’s Lancashire Crisps is certainly not in terms of its reach and it is making an impression in a crowded but shifting market. All in all, crisps dominate this category as the savoury snack of choice, though there was the odd mention for olives, nuts and Scotch eggs in the data, too.

FINE FOOD DIGEST

Savoury Snacks 1st

Torres

2nd

Two Farmers

3rd

Pipers

Joint 4th

Burts / Fiddler’s Lancashire Crisps

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

BEST BRANDS SURVEY What is clear from the results in this category over the years is that customers want what they want. And even when shopping in fine food retail, they want fizzy drinks. Fentimans’ full range is cited, showing that its combination of flavour variety and artisanal production is still a winning one. Like it or not, scale and popularity put Coca-Cola and Nestlé-owned Sanpellegrino in joint second spot, while craft stalwarts continue to battle it out for a share of the soft drinks fridge space. Previous high rankers, Cawston Press, Karma Drinks and Breckland Orchard weren’t too far behind here, while a number of kombucha brands were seen to be growing their tallies year-on-year. It’ll be interesting to see whether bigger brands give way to more niche ones in the coming years.

Drinks 1st

Fentimans

JOINT 2nd

Sanpellegrino / Coca Cola

JOINT 3rd

Luscombe / Belvoir Farm

Alcoholic drinks There’s rarely a clear victor in either the spirits or the beer & cider categories, because lots of retailers don’t have a licence, and it is also a crowded, locally-driven market. That said, gin is by far the most popular spirit, decidedly busting the “rum is the new gin” myth doing the rounds for a few years now. As a matter of fact, rum was outdone by whiskey. There was barely a repeated name in the beer & cider category either, with most independent retailers choosing the local and craft options over the familiar – but more commercial – brands.

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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BEST BRANDS 2023-24

Drivers GFF Best Brands 23|24.pdf

04/12/2023

14:55

CMY

Drivers: family picklers since 1906

Our award winning range of premium quality Pickles, Relishes and Chutneys is available in retail, catering and gift options. Introducing our new versatile 4 jar box.

www.pickle-lovers.co.uk Driver’s Pickles

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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FRA awards

Stars in their

aisles Rising Star of the Year The Goat Shed at Fielding Cottage, Honingham, Norwich

Just three years ago, this Norfolk farm shop was quite literally just a goat shed. The Steggles family bought 10 milking goats in 2009, and by 2020 it was making its own goats’ cheese, which it was selling to shops and restaurants as well as direct to the public from a wooden shed with an honesty box. Then Covid arrived and changed the course of the business. “People kept asking us for milk, eggs etc. because they didn’t feel safe going to the supermarket, so we swept out the back of the barn and set up a little shop,” recalls founder Sam Steggles. “We were during the height of the pandemic. “When our customers asked us whether we planned to continue post-Covid, we said that we would as long as they continued to support us. And we just kept expanding from there. “Three years on, we’re a £1.4m turnover business employing a team of 30, we have an 8,000 sq ft farm shop and a 150-seat kitchen – not to mention 800 goats.” Other than securing a grant under the RDPE (Rural Development Programme for England), The Goat Shed has grown entirely organically, adds Steggles.

FINE FOOD DIGEST

He says the secret to the operation’s success can be summarised in two words. “Cheese and goats. They are what The Goat Shed is all about and where it all started. We have been making Wensum White and Norfolk Mardler cheese since 2009 and are still making it by the bucketload because it continues to be our top selling product. Producing the cheese metres away from where it is sold is a wow factor and a huge attraction for people.” There is no doubt that much of the business’s success has been down to its ability to ‘milk’ these attributes, and the fact it isn’t afraid to be different. For example, The Goat Shed recently put on a ‘Goat Spa’ event, giving visitors the chance to sample goat’s cheese, and to brush, stroke and cuddle the goats. Steggles also credits his team with creating a “bright, warm and bubbly” environment that customers want to experience time and time again. “We have been seeing some great customer interaction – lots of repeat business and custom from people who haven’t heard of us before. It’s testament to our team that customers come back week after week, and the praise they give about our people and e in c tt e c he h p

the

FRA Awards

The Farm Retail Association’s annual awards always provide inspirational shopkeeping stories and this year is no different. FFD caught up with the 2023 winners to explore what has made them successful.

“People kept asking us for milk, eggs etc. because they didn’t feel safe going to the supermarket, so we swept out the back of the barn and set up a little shop."

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FRA AWARDS Large Farm Shop of the Year Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, Lifton, Devon This is the second time Strawberry Fields has been crowned ‘Large Farm Shop of the Year’, and it is easy to see why: owners Laura and Adam Mounce work tirelessly to stay at the top of their game and aren’t afraid of implementing changes – even if this attitude calls for heavy investment. “We won’t change things if they aren’t broken, but we are always trying to think of new ideas to keep things fresh for customers and we are never complacent,” says Laura Mounce. The farm shop has been extended four times since it was built in 2002 – proof that its owners put their money where their mouths are. The most recent project saw the addition of a new production area to the back of the bakery. “With labour and electricity costs only going one way,

we could see we had to work smarter,” says Mounce. “It was a major investment, but the extension has given us the space and to extend our range.” Strawberry Fields’ in-house food production, commended by the judges, is key to the farm shop’s success. “These are niche products that people can’t buy elsewhere. They are the main reasons why people come to us and account for the majority of sales.” by freshness, taste and quality, which is very much evident in the shop’s bread offer that is baked seven days a week. “Our freshly baked bread is a strong draw; customers love it when they pick up a loaf and it is still warm.” Strawberry Fields’ homegrown fruit and vegetables also epitomise the operation’s values. Carrots, purple sprouting broccoli, pears, raspberries and, naturally, strawberries, are among the

produce grown on the 200-acre farm. Other own-made lines include the farm’s own Ruby Red beef, Scotch eggs and quiches that use its free-range eggs, jams and chutneys made from farm-grown ingredients, sausages, ready meals and its famous saffron buns. Bar a few exceptions, they are all traditional lines because as Laura points out, “it is the stuff people will always want and need”. But thanks to its focus on keeping things fresh and interesting, these perennial products are anything but stale. “Seeing is believing,” says Mounce. “People can see the bread the shop. Our jams and chutneys are also produced in front of their eyes in our open jam room. We are very honest with our customers and there isn’t an area of the shop people can’t see into – even our restaurant has an open kitchen.” The barn restaurant, which seats 200 people, has also

received plenty of investment since the shop last won the FRA award in 2020 – it has just emerged from a £300,000 refurbishment that has boosted revenue by 25%. But the biggest project in recent history has been the opening of a second destination at Buckfastleigh. Although the shop is much smaller than site, Laura admits it has been a steep learning curve. “It has been very challenging because it is new and an hour away, but we have a lot more knowledge now and we are looking at opening a third store,” she says. It seems that rather than being deterred by a challenge, Laura and Adam Mounce thrive on big projects. A case in point is their annual Pumpkin Fest, which attracted 37,500 visitors this year. “I think the thing is that you are never going to be perfect in business,” says Mounce. “After 20 of running the shop, we are still learning and improving every day.” t e e it nc

“We won’t change things if they aren’t broken, but we are always trying to think of new ideas to keep things fresh for customers." 30

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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BEST BRANDS 2023-24

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Embellish with Relish

Award-Winning Water Biscuits from the Isle of Lewis www.stagbakeries.co.uk 32

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

FRA AWARDS Small Farm Shop of the Year Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert, Durham While the Broomy Breakfast and grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef are two compelling reasons to visit this North Durham farm shop, customers mainly come to connect with where their food is from. That’s what Jane Gray, who runs the business with her husband Mark, tells FFD. “The approach is a two-mile, uphill drive through rolling farmland, which takes visitors past cows and sheep grazing, hedgerows and clover we have planted; pigs and free-range hens. This a real farm shop, and that is what they like,” she says. The Grays are passionate stewards of the countryside and organic farming advocates. For the last 20 years they have been working on conserving the landscape and improving conditions for wildlife. In 2004, they opened the shop as an outlet for their Aberdeen Angus beef, lamb, mutton and Saddleback pork. “We took advice after the footand-mouth crisis and decided that direct selling was a good way of diversifying,” says Gray. “Our original plan was to make ready meals and sell them at farmers’ markets, but we found that there was a much bigger market for meat with a story behind it.” A major milestone for the business was obtaining organic status in 2007. “That was a big decision.

Initially we went down the organic route because there was funding available, but we ended up getting really into the ideology.” This didn’t escape the attention of the FRA judges, who praised Broom House Farm’s pride in its organic focus. They were also effusive about the way in which the butchery “creates a destination in its own right”. “Our butchers take the greatest care to provide a proper service, and this adds to the community vibe here,” says Gray. While butchery is the star attraction, the shop is full of other items, from organic veg, milk, butter and bread, to condiments, sauces and a wide range of foods made on the farm. “I am really proud of our added-value lines, some of which are quite seasonal, such our principle of whole carcass butchery - terrine, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and beef dripping, for example.” As Broom House edges closer to another milestone – its 20th anniversary next year – it continues to hold fast to its mantra of “evolution rather than expansion” and its focus on “We’re not interested in have tripled since 2020 and I think that comes down to having absolute attention to detail, whether that’s negotiating hard with energy suppliers or indexing ingredient costs to prices.” broomhousedurham.co.uk

"we went down the organic route because there was funding available, but we ended up getting really into the ideology.”

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FRA AWARDS Café/Restaurant of the Year Hartley Farm Shop & Kitchen, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire In a roundabout way, this family business on the Wiltshire-Somerset border has the pandemic to thank for its success in the FRA awards. Although the farm, now in restaurant since 2008, it used to be much smaller than the now spacious and modern farm kitchen that attracts 100-150 diners every day. Like many hospitality businesses across the country during the pandemic, Hartley Farm Shop & Kitchen had no choice but to embrace alfresco dining.

But what started as a strategy for mitigating revenue losses turned into a success story that took managing director Tom Bowles by surprise. “We made a real success of outdoor dining, eventually outgrowing our original footprint,” Bowles tells FFD. As restrictions eased, Bowles knew the business would have to move quickly to maintain this momentum. He installed a temporary indoor restaurant in an old barn behind the farm shop, stripping out the stables and replacing them with a catering trailer and coffee bar. “It went bananas. Customers loved it,” he recalls. However, he knew that this setup had a limited lifespan and that

a long-term solution was needed. “It was impractical to work in as it was a draughty barn and I suspected that after a while people would not be as tolerant of the rough and ready approach,” says Bowles. June 2022 saw the opening of The Barn ‘Mark II’ – a 150 cover café-restaurant, thoughtfully designed to offer comfort “with a few nods to its former life”. “We wanted to retain the agricultural nature of the building,” adds Bowles. “The corrugated brushed concrete and we used lots of recycled elements.” The rustic theme is carried over to the menu, which features hearty soups and sandwiches, steak

farmhouse breakfasts. The redeveloped farm kitchen generates almost 70% more revenue than the pre-pandemic set-up, but Tom is far from complacent, given the current economic climate. “The last 12 months have been challenging,” he says. “No sooner had we taken out a loan to develop the barn that an interest rate hike was announced.” All things considered, Bowles is optimistic that by staying in tune with what customers want, Hartley can weather the storm. “Our business is all about providing an experience, connecting people and delivering local food. That can’t be replaced with AI.” hartley-farm.co.uk

“We made a real success of outdoor dining, eventually outgrowing our original footprint."

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

T M          I  

Tenuta Marmorelle would like to thank their customers for their support in 2023 and wish them a happy and prosperous 2024!

• A leading supplier of Italian food products across the UK • Supplying and championing only the highest quality, artisan products • Multi-award-winning products. Our 3-star panettone was nominated for a Golden Fork in the 2023 GT awards! • Working with over 400 farm shops, food halls & delis nationwide • We work directly with all our customers and suppliers • Noted for excellent customer service

Panettone infused with Santo Liqueur

For more information please contact us on 01635 744600 or visit our website to see our full range

www.tenutamarmorelle.com

D  I - S  D   UK 32

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JOY ON A PLATE For generations now, our family has been making a real commitment to taste and excellence, hoping to help you add a bit of magic to every mealtime.

W E A L D S M O K E RY FINE FOOD EXPERIENCE

Traditionally smoked fish, meats and cheeses created with passion, pride and care

Multiple award winner for over 20 years!

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Tel: 01580 879601 Email: info@wealdsmokery.co.uk www.wealdsmokery.co.uk

FINE FOOD DIGEST

BES T

23 20

ANDS BR

No.1 IN PASTA as voted by the readers of Fine Food Digest

From the most

traditional shapes to the most creative ones, discover the Pasta Garofalo lines.

To stock Garofalo pasta please contact us info@garofalouk.com 01438 813444 07970 295806

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23/02/2023 16:16

A PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Centuries of tradition Made using a cooperative approach in the Jura Massif for more than 1,000 years, Comté is a cheese that follows a strict production blueprint to harness the region’s unique terroir. COMTÉ IS NO ordinary hard cheese. From its early origins of cooperative production to its recognition beyond the boundaries of its rural region, Comté has always distinguished itself amongst French cheeses. Savvy consumers no longer choose their cheese based on taste alone. Provenance, ethics and sustainable credentials take almost equal footing alongside craftsmanship, ingredients and terroir for the discerning cheese customer. Consumers are looking for cheese which tells a story they can believe in, and we believe that Comté’s story is one worth telling. Comté is a cheese with community at its core. It was one of the first French cheese to achieve AOC status in France and is now the largest and one of the most respected PDOs in the country. Born from a need for local farmers to pool resources to make cheese to survive the winter, in the Jura Massif they say that a cheese

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

is not born Comté, it must become Comté. Every cheese is expertly aged according to its potential, meaning that every wheel of Comté you eat is the very best version of itself. Of course to become the best Comté possible, each cheese must be made to the highest standard at every stage of production. Luckily, making Comté has always been a collaborative effort. Comté has been a cooperative since before it was cool, with local farmers pooling milk at their nearest fruitières to make cheese every day for almost 1000 years. The cheese is made following a strict blueprint, ensuring every wheel of Comté is made using the traditional methods that make it so unique. Each farm must be within an 8 mile radius of its fruitière to ensure the high quality of the milk and these farmers prioritise animal welfare above all else. The farmers exclusively feed their herds of Montbeliarde and French

Simmental cows from the immediate geographical area. In Summer they graze on vast wildflower pastures in the winter they feast on hay made from the very same fields. This is what gives Comté its unique terroir. From the copper cauldrons used to heat the milk to the hammers used by affineurs so that they might listen intently to whether a Comté is ready to eat, traditional methods and a personal touch are key to Comté’s delicious taste. Each wheel is lovingly turned and rubbed with brine to help them to become Comté. The cooperative approach ensures that every person in the supply chain holds equal import and bears equal responsibility for the quality of the cheese. Comté is a cheese made with collective passion for an outcome you can trust. If you would like to stock Comté and enjoy cheese, head to: www.comtecheese. co.uk/are-you-a-cheesereseller to contact us, as well as downloading promotional materials to support your sales. FINE FOOD DIGEST

A PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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Made with love, loved by many

Everyone has their favourite, what’s yours? 40 years ago, a surplus of eggs on the family farm gave Marion Darlington the idea to make her first batch of Lemon Curd, using an old family recipe. Little did she know she was creating a legend! Fast forward to today and we have more than 90 lines in our collection. Once again, we’re proud to be named in the Fine Food Digest Best Brands Awards, as one of your favourite preserve and chutney makers. Thank you for voting for us.

To find out more please visit our website at mrsdarlingtons.com Find us on social media @mrsdarlingtons @mrsdarlingtons 36

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

EMERGING Emerging BRANDS Brands

Into the

stratosphere? Top retail buyers reveal their favourite discoveries from this year and the producers they think will be big hits in 2024 David Josephs, CEO, Panzer’s Ambry Turkey Bacon

Ambry is doing really clever things to produce a substitute for pork. This free-range turkey bacon is cured with sea salt and dark muscovado sugar and lightly smoked with beech chips on their small farm in Norfolk. This often comes out on top in taste tests with “the real thing”. In the world of food alternatives, we think they are ambryfoods.com

Yep Kitchen

Chilli oils are having a real moment and Yep’s products are a real customer favourite. After living in China for 10 years, founder Tom Palmer wanted to create a product for the UK market – but by importing dried chillies and peppercorns from Chengdu. The Sichuan Chilli Crisp goes well on literally everything. yepkitchen.com

FINE FOOD DIGEST

Kokoh Chocolates

In terms of taste, this small producer’s little bars pack a big punch, which means they can last a while (if you have the strength not to eat them all in one go). Joanna Marshall makes her chocolate by hand in the Surrey Hills, and she’s won many a Great Taste and Academy of Chocolate award. Be sure to try her Himalayan Pink Salt & Venezuelan 43% Cocoa Bar and the Raspberry & Cocoa Nibs 70% bar. kokohchocolate.com

Yuum Mochis

These are the most authentic mochi [elastic textured Japanese rice flour cakes] available in the UK. Some varieties even feature whole fresh fruit inside. We love recommending them to customers to take as a unique gift or dessert to a dinner party. Using Japanese ingredients like yuzu, Mikan Mandarin and Muscat grape, the Yumm range offers up a variety of interesting flavour profiles, including sweet, sour, bitter, umami and salty. yuum.co.uk

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

EMERGING BRANDS Adrian Boswell, fresh food buyer, Selfridges DoYouBo Soy Sauce

This sauce from Taiwan is my favourite product of the year. The producer has approached a simple staple – soy sauce – and given it the ultimate facelift by making it using brown soya beans that are usually reserved for tea. The sauce has immense depth of flavour, and delivers an amazing balance of salt, sweet and umami. Every chef and food lover should have this product in their cupboard. No wonder it won a Great Taste Golden Fork. doyoubo.com

Three Robins oat drink

With oats being 10% of the ingredients list, this has become my favourite plant-based milk. The Original – and “barista

standard” – product is rich, creamy, full of calcium and fortified to deliver nutritional value. It only contains natural sugars and is lower in sugar than the majority of other high street brands. Three Robins also produces a delicious chocolate drink which is excellent in smoothies & porridge. threerobins.co.uk

Gymkhana Fine Foods Indian ingredients

This range of authentic high-end products allow you to replicate the flavours from a Michelin starred Indian restaurant at home. All of the chutneys, sauces and marinades are slow-cooked using all-natural ingredients. The Roast Garlic & Chilli marinade is a wonderful addition to almost any dish, or can be used to create an amazing stir fry; while the Peanut & Sesame Chutney will transform even the most boring of dishes into something moreish. gymkhanafinefoods.com

Turtle Cereals

This range of clean breakfast cereals from Belgium is ideal for kids and grown-ups alike – with gluten-free and vegan options to boot. Turtle effectively hits a gap in the UK’s cereal aisles by offering healthier versions of some of the unhealthiest varieties out there. This brand is sure to gain prominence in 2024. Watch this space. turtlecereals.com

Lava Cheese

Paul Castle, MD, Flourish Food Hall Random Harvest

All the way from Australia, this range of condiments and sauces really delivers on taste. It’s a passionate family business that has been around for more than 40 years – and there’s quite a range, from dressings to mustards to tapenades. The brand already has listings with several top food halls, and once you’ve tasted something from this range you, and your customers, will be converted. randomharvestgourmet. com.au

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

If you love grilled cheese, these will become your favourite snack in 2024. Made by melting then cooling cheddar, these chips contain no carbohydrates (so they’re suitable for low-carb and keto diets) and they are extremely moreish. I could easily devour a box of any of the four flavours (Plain Cheddar, Sour Cream & Onion, Bacon, or Chilli) in one sitting. lavacheese.com

Oat Avenue granola butters

With nuts being one of the most prominent allergens, this is a great substitute solution for retailers. It’s also vegan and gluten-free. The granola butter comes in four flavours – Chocolate, Chai Spiced and Raspberry – and the Original version won a Great Taste 3-star in 2022. oatavenue.com FINE FOOD DIGEST

Bring quality, value and exclusive cheeses to your counter, all while championing expertly sourced artisan producers.

www.rowcliffe.co.uk 36

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

GFF BEST BRANDS QUARTER.pdf 1 12/12/2023 13:27:07

The Original. The One and Only. Captain Tiptoes Chilli Puffs. Now only available directly from Olives Et Al.

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Our award-winning flour is produced from the finest ancient grains which are sustainably grown in the beautiful British countryside. Our entire range carry the highly sought after Great Taste 2 and 3 star awards, in recognition of outstanding quality and flavour. Available in 1kg and 20kg bags. Minimum order 2 boxes of 10 × 1 kg bags. No delivery charges. Call or email today for a trade price list

Sustainably farmed

BRC certified products

High in protein & fibre

Competitive & stable pricing

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FINE FOOD DIGEST

S: 4 SE 02 LO 2 C Y Y AR TR RU EN EB F

Award-winning food and drink for independent retailers OPEN FOR ENTRY Members’ fortnight

8-22 January

General entry

22 January-6 February

For more information visit gff.co.uk/ greattaste or scan the QR code to sign up for entry alerts

Do you work with brilliant producers? Make sure they enter this year. gff.co.uk/greattaste | greattasteawards.co.uk | #greattasteawards #ISpyGreatTaste

Creators of quality handcrafted Biltong in a variety of delicious flavours

Barbecue Rubs & Sauces - No E-Nasties - Vegetarian - Halal Made in Manchester www.fireflybbq.co.uk

Even those that like a strong cheese will enjoy the subtle flavours and the smooth texture of this little cheese. Bloody Mary Bites

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Signature Biltong

Original Biltong

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FINE FOOD DIGEST

BEST BRANDS 2022-23

digital branding

How to shine

in a new galaxy

The way people consume in the digital era has changed how food & drink producers approach branding, from strategy and storytelling to packaging design. For a retailer, stocking the brands that are in the loop could make all the difference. By Lynda Searby

Some food and beverage producers find the prospect of creating, managing and promoting a brand via digital channels overwhelming, and understandably so. The digital space is wild and vast, a cacophony in a language that can only be understood by natives. But for retailers, it also represents an opportunity to reach new consumer audiences. According to Charlie Hughes, strategy director at brand experience and packaging design agency Vault49, communicating in this way has increased opportunities for brands to talk to consumers. In that sense, it makes their products more accessible, and sales more targeted. “Whether it’s to tell an immersive brand story, provide detailed nutritional or dietary information, or hero people and provenance,

there is access like never before,” she says. More than any other means of communication, social media has brought new opportunities for engaging with consumers. “Never before in the history of time have so many potential customers been available to businesses at the touch of a few buttons,” says AJ Sharp, founder of food & drink PR and social media agency Sharp Relations. Sharp says companies can use social media to show their brand personality via many mediums – images, videos, storytelling, community engagement and public customer support – yielding much better results than with packaging and point-of-sale materials alone. “The downside is you’re now up against hundreds of competitors and it can get noisy, so you need to think about how you can cut CONTINUED on page 50 

“Never before in the history of time have so many potential customers been available to businesses at the touch of a few buttons.” FINE FOOD DIGEST

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

digital branding through to reach your perfect customers,” says Sharp. Avoid trying to be everything to everyone, she advises, and seek out a niche in the market instead. For food brands to be successful, they need to align their values with their customers’ – particularly when it comes to Gen Z and millennials. “For these demographics, purchasing a certain brand becomes a manifestation of their intrinsic values and beliefs, as if it says something about them as a person.” Charlie Hughes highlights the importance of a targeted approach to digital brand building, and says to avoid the trap of trying to communicate “everything, everywhere”. “Think of each channel as a window into your brand world. Meet your consumers where they’re at and play to the medium.” For example, she says, keep detailed product information on your website, and use TikTok as a channel focusing on fun, reactive, personality driven content.

“Retailers want to see that the brands they stock are engaging with consumers and driving footfall to their outlets.” For Vhari Russell, founder of The Food Marketing Experts agency, it is all about knowing who your audience is on each platform, as this informs their shopping habits. “A farm shop might have an older customer base than a deli in Camden,” she says, and producers need to understand how to communicate with different audiences so they can work with retailers and increase their sales. “The brand’s job is to showcase the product

so that when a consumer walks into a store they will pick it up because it resonates. Social media is there to help that process and create ‘stickiness’.” She agrees that cutting through the noise is a challenge in the digital space, and one that is only going to become tougher as consumers are desensitised to attention-grabbing techniques practiced online. As consumers are engaging with content less and less on Instagram – liking and saving fewer posts than they used to – your offer needs to be captivating enough to interrupt their scrolling. “You need to make the right noises in the right way by creating a brand identity that stands out,” she says. Forward-looking brands need to embrace experiential marketing to connect with consumers. These experiences might be virtual or real-life events such as pop-ups, like Dash Water’s ‘Wonky Picnic’ and Pip & Nut’s ‘Toast Bar’. Russell believes another way of cutting through the noise is to “feed people’s imagination” by harnessing trends, such as that of grazing boards (which incidentally was borne out of a series of viral TikTok videos). “If you are, say, an olive or a charcuterie brand, you need to be showing that your product is in that space, so you can not only sway the consumer but also influence retailer choices.” Russell points out that buyers also pay close attention to what happens on social media.“They want to see that the brands they stock are engaging with consumers and driving footfall to their outlets.” In this respect, she thinks small independent brands have the edge over larger mainstream ones as they can pivot quickly. Unlike traditional media channels which only allow one-way communication, on social media, the conversation goes both ways. CONTINUED on page 53 

Case study: Bold Bean Co The Bold Bean Co brand was built with digital marketing in mind. While it performs best on Instagram, achieving high Reel views without putting money behind them, Bold Bean also has a good presence on TikTok and Linkedin, and is looking into Facebook and YouTube for the Founder Amelia Christie-Miller says that while the brand’s digital marketing content is created internally, it also uses SEO experts and website designers “to help us get it out there.” To make reaching customers easier, the producer has narrowed down its target audience, focusing on millennials and healthconscious individuals who seek

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

out brands that are sustainable and authentic in their messaging. Asked what the company’s strategy is when it comes to digital brand building, she says: “It’s all about genuinely offering something to our followers, not just selling to them. So many brands can create beautiful videos of their product in a offering the consumer? “Consumers want to be entertained, they want to learn something useful and they through creator-quality recipes, and behind the scenes videos with a dash of humour. We keep it real and relatable, which our audience loves.”

FINE FOOD DIGEST

A very attractive bagel... ...a delicious welcome addition to gluten free products. Great Taste Award Judge 2022

Shop now at: www.8foods.co.uk

FINE FOOD DIGEST

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

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11/12/2023 15:20

digital branding

Small brands can thus be more responsive and personalised in their exchanges. According to Sharp, this means small brands tend to have more engaged followers, creating opportunities for retailers to collaborate with them to grow their own engagement and followers. “Shout out the brand you are working with in your posts, take pictures of their products on your shelves and invite them to do sampling and tastings.” Digital advancements have also changed the role of packaging in how a brand markets itself, easing the pressure on boxes and labels to tell the product’s entire story. “Digital allows brands to treat packaging more as a gateway to draw people into the brand, rather than doing the heavy lifting on communications,” says Hughes. QR codes are also taking the heat off packaging designers, as information that was previously on the pack can now be accessed online. “QR codes on branding are now common for giving access to information and recipes,” notes supermarket research expert Tessa Stuart, who is managing director of Asset Research. For instance, one of the company’s clients, Pump Street Chocolate, recently added QR codes onto its packaging design, meaning it

could update its website information without having to reprint labels. With the information needed on pack greatly reduced, food and drink brands are getting creative with how they use it as a touchpoint, experimenting with design, form and function to drive standout, says Hughes. For Sharp, appealing aesthetics translate well to social media, and influencer activity here can be powerful. “Think of all the unboxing stories you see on Instagram and TikTok - there’s an element of FOMO [“fear of missing out”] where the audience want to get their hands on one as well,” she says. With so much focus on online activity, it is easy to neglect offline branding. But as Tessa Stuart points out, online grocery sales still only account for 11% of the market, and most of the time shoppers are connecting with brands in the real world. Therefore, it is essential that producers take a coordinated approach to online and offline branding. “There definitely needs to be a very clear connection between online and offline branding, ensuring a continuous and consistent presence,” says Sharp, adding that strict adherence to fonts, colour palettes and brand assets will help with this. From a messaging standpoint, Sharp

recommends simplicity, by highlighting just one or two key messages over a period of time. “To do this well, I’d underline the importance of a brand strategy and guidelines that straddle all channels and customer touchpoints,” she says. Ian Hills, founder of the Purple Pilchard agency, warns that if online and offline branding isn’t consistent, it can fuel confusion and apathy, or worse still, suspicion, and create a disconnect with end consumers. “The very nature of speciality food & drink producers means they succeed by securing loyalty from a small yet proactive minority who really care about how the brand acts and behaves,” he says. But ultimately, producers shouldn’t let potential pitfalls or mistakes deter them from experimenting in the digital space, as the opportunities are too great to forego. “There’s never been a better opportunity to drill down into your brand essence and find the audience with whom those beliefs and values resonate loudest,” says Hills. “Cheaper costs associated with a digital campaign can enable even the most bootstrapped brand to look a million dollars.” vault49.com sharprelations.com thefoodmarketingexperts.co.uk purplepilchard.co.uk

“Cheaper costs associated with a digital campaign can enable even the most bootstrapped brand to look a million dollars.” FINE FOOD DIGEST

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

Premium Scottish Cocktails Made in Scotland - Born in Bute Our drinks are a contemporary twist on old classics. Contact us to order: hello@brawliquorclub.com

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Cocoa Bean, Damask Rose Buds, Lemon Verbena , Lavender & Greek Mountain Tea

Hibiscus

Nazani Tea is based on transparency, sustainability and ethical sourcing, and specialises in single batch, single estate and single origin herbal infusions from across the world. All our herbals are handpicked, and are either wild foraged, organic or naturally grown without the use of any pesticides or chemicals. They are the purest expression of the terroir, the vintage and the varietal. Quote FFD23 when enquiring

www.nazanitea.com • contact@nazanitea.com •

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@nazanitea FINE FOOD DIGEST

Smoked Haddock Florentine

Lemon & Pepper Haddock Goujons

All meats used in our pies are hand selected by our expert butchery team with over a century of knowledge and experience. The meats are coarsely ground to give a rustic crumby finish. Blended with a secret recipe of herbs and spices to give a give peppery after tone. The pies are baked until crisp, ensuring all the natural flavours remain within the pie. After cooling slightly, the pies are filled with just enough savoury jelly to maintain moisture and seal all the natural flavours inside. contact@wyrepiecompany.co.uk | 01584811196 | wyrepiecompany.co.uk

#trufflerevolution SCAN NOW. TASTE OUR SELECTION!

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WE SELECT THE BEST RAW MATERIALS TO ENSURE SAFETY AND TASTE. WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE RECEIVED THE PRESTIGIOUS GREAT TASTE AWARD.

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We proudly satisfy italian and international safety food standards I TA LY C E R

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Introducing Welsh Lady’s individual portions of award winning products. Jams, marmalades, mustards, sauces and chutney in mini glass jars. Talk to us about small production runs and bespoke by brand

For details, please contact Tel: 01766 810496 E-mail: sales@welshladypreserves.com www.welshladypreserves.com

Quality Yogi Bears Scottish Heather Honey

themorayhoneycompany.co.uk

yogi@themorayhoneycompany.co.uk | 07727 148588

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FINE FOOD DIGEST

on the leaderboard Great Taste Supreme Champion and Golden Fork for Best International Food and Drink Roussas Dairy Galotyri PDO cheese roussas.gr

Golden Fork for Ireland Silver Hill Duck Confit Duck Legs silverhillduck.ie

Golden Fork for England Belazu Ingredient Company Sour Cherry Molasses belazu.com

World Cheese Awards World Champion Cheese Nidelven Blå Gangstad Gårdsysteri ysteri.no Best American Cheese Harbison Cellars at Jasper Hill jasperhillfarm.com Best British Cheese Sinodun Hill Norton and Yarrow Cheese nortonandyarrow.co.uk Best French Cheese Le Goustal la Bergère Société des Caves Best German Cheese Michel Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz backensholz.de Best Greek Cheese Truffeta kissas.gr Best Irish Cheese Mount Leinster Clothbound Coolattin Cheddar coolattincheddar.ie Best Netherlands Cheese Holland Delta – 1 Year Old Van der Heiden Kaas vanderheidenkaas.nl FINE FOOD DIGEST

Every year, a number of organisations go to great lengths to highlight the best food & drink from the UK and further afield. We've rounded up as many as we could right here, as a reference guide for retail buyers.

Golden Fork for Northern Ireland Mauds Ice Cream Pistachio Ice Cream mauds.com

Great Taste

Golden Fork for Wales Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co. Wye Valley Mead Traditional Mead hivemindmead.com

AWARD winners

Golden Fork for Spain Fino Dark PX Balsamic Vinegar finooliveoil.co.uk Golden Fork for Scotland Loch Fyne Oysters Loch Fyne Kinglas Fillet lochfyne.com

Golden Fork for Italy Caseificio Il Fiorino Cacio di Afrodite caseificioilfiorino.it

Best Italian Cheese Parmigiano Reggiano 30-39 Months Nazionale Parmigiano Reggiano Rastelli Fratelli caseificiorastelli.it

Best Le Gruyère Cheese Le Gruyère AOP Premier Cru – Châtonnaye

Best Portuguese Cheese São Jorge PDO 4 Months LactAçores lactacores.pt Best Spanish Cheese Soft cheese Capricho Homenaje Formatgeria Granja Rinya granjarinya.com Best Swiss Cheese Eberle würzig seit 5 Generationen Dorfkäserei Muolen kaeserei-muolen.ch Best Cheddar Cheese Mount Leinster Clothbound Coolattin Cheddar coolattincheddar.ie

Golden Fork for the Rest of Europe Bagoila Cold Pressed Pumpkin Seed Oil bagoila.publicmarketing.hu Golden Fork for the Rest of the World DoYouBo Naturally Brewed Brown Soybean Soy Sauce Startisan of the Year La Maritxu La Maritxu Basque Cheesecake lamaritxucheesecake.co.uk i e en e it e The Newt in Somerset Ice Cyder thenewtinsomerset.com

cremo.ch Best New Cheese Tokyo Brown Cheese Cheese Stand cheese-stand.com Best Smoked Cheese Nero Fumè Latteria Moro di Moro Sergio moroformaggi.it Best SCA Member Cheese Sinodun Hill Norton and Yarrow Cheese nortonandyarrow.co.uk The Ann-Marie Dyas Award for e t ti n hee e Lamucca di Castagno Romagna Terre romagnaterre.it Best Female Cheesemakers the cheesemakers of Gangstad Gårdsysteri ysteri.no Exceptional Contribution to Cheese Gunnar Waagen Tingvollost tingvollost.no BEST BRANDS 2023-24

AWARD winners

International Wine & Spirit Competition Green Wine Initiative Trophy Lanchester Wines lanchesterwines.co.uk

Red Wine Producer Trophy Domaine Bousquet domainebousquet.com Sparkling Wine Producer Trophy Rare Champagne rare-champagne.com Sweet/Fortified Wine Producer Trophy Fattoria La Vialla lavialla.com White Wine Producer Trophy Cherubino larrycherubino.com

World Beer Awards 2023

Best No/Low Alcohol Beer Gubernija Non-Alcoholic Brown Ale gubernija.lt Best Stout & Porter Jim&Dad’s Brew Company Impromptu Best Wheat Beer Kurpfalzbräu Ur-Weizen kurpfalzbraeu.de Best Specialty Beer Wäls Brut wals.com.br

DeliciousYorkshire Taste Awards 2023 Best Bakery Product Bondgate Bakery Mixed Seed Bread bondgatebakery.com

Best Beer or Cider Pennine Brewing Co Palinka Porter pennine-brewing.co.uk Best Beverage (Cold) Yorkshire Wolds Apple Juice Co Cloudy Apple Juice yorkshirewolds applejuice.co.uk Best Cheese and Supreme Product Champion Shepherds Purse Cheeses Mrs Bell’s Salad Cheese shepherdspurse.co.uk

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

Green Spirit Initiative Trophy Two Drifters Distillery twodriftersrum.com

Scotch Whisky Producer Trophy The Glenturret theglenturret.com

Rum Producer Trophy Worthy Park Estate worthyparkestate.com

Worldwide Whiskey Producer Trophy Bardstown Bourbon Company bardstownbourbon.com

Agave Producer Trophy Altos Planos Inc. mijenta-tequila.com International Gin Producer Trophy Four Pillars Gin fourpillarsgin.com

Low & No Spirits Producer Trophy All The Bitter allthebitter.com

UK Gin Producer Trophy Gyre & Gimble gyreandgimble.co.uk

Low & No Wine Producer Trophy Familia Torres torres.es Mixer Producer Trophy Double Dutch Drinks doubledutchdrinks.com

Vodka Producer Trophy Grainshaker Australian Vodka grainshaker.com.au

RTD Producer Trophy Curatif curatif.com

Best Pale Beer Microbrasserie Trois Lacs La Juicy 3lacs.com Best Dark Beer Boschdal Quadrupel boschdal.nl Best IPA Amazing Brewing Company First Love amazingbrewing.co.kr Best Flavoured Beer Amsterdam Brewing Double Tempest amsterdambeer.com

Best Confectionery Mr Stanley’s Fudge Ahoy, Creamy Caramel & Sea Salt Fudge mrstanleys.co.uk Best Free From Product Ollie Morris Artisan Chocolates Ollie’s Dairy Free Collection olliemakeschocolates.co.uk Best Fresh Meat Warrendale Wagyu Wagyu Flat Iron Steak warrendale-wagyu.co.uk

Best Lager Yatsugatake Brewery Touch Down Kiyosato Lager yamanashi-sake.jp Best Sour & Wild Beer Sosab Flemish Red Ale XII sosab.be Best Pork Pie J A Mounfield & Son 1lb Pork Pie mounfieldbutchers.co.uk

Best Savoury Condiment Yorkshire Sea Salt Co. Yorkshire Sea Salt yorkshireseasalt.co.uk

Best Prepared Meat (Cold) Lishman’s of Ilkley Black Pepper & Garlic Salami lishmansbutchers.co.uk

Best Sustainable Product Acorn Dairy Whole Milk acorndairy.co.uk

Best Prepared Meat (Hot) Appleton’s Butchers Old Style Bacon appletonsbutchers.co.uk

Best Sweet Preserve Rosebud Preserves Cherry and Amaretto Jam rosebudpreserves.co.uk

Best Ice Cream & Dairy Ryeburn of Helmsley Roasted Pistachio ryeburn.com Best Pantry Farmer Copleys Copleys Kitchen Pure Yorkshire Honey farmercopleys.co.uk FINE FOOD DIGEST

GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME At Peter’s Yard, we know good things take time. Our sourdough crackers are made from a 45-year-old sourdough starter, fermented for 16 hours before each batch is baked. Crafted without shortcuts or artificial ingredients for award-winning flavour and crunch.

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Almond Slice Sticky Toffee Pudding

Marmalade Flapjack

Apple&Red Onion Chutney

Cherry Berry Flapjack

Fruit Cake

Happy bees make the best honey, 3-Star honey, year after year!

All enquiries:

Info@just-delicious.co.uk T: 01423711595

Wild Flower Honey

Provence Lavender Honey

www.travellingbee.co.uk

JDL_0022_Guild_FF_Ad.indd 1

03/04/2023 17:08

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ODYSEA_LTD WWW.ODYSEA.COM 60

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FINE FOOD DIGEST

AWARD winners te 2023

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e t t in e ine Gusbourne Chardonnay Guinevere 2021 ne c e t ti Tuffon Hall Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé, Beatrice 2022 t nh c e t p in e Ridgeview Sparkling Red Reserve NV i e ie c

Best Chardonnay Gusbourne Chardonnay Guinevere 2021 ne c e t nc e nc Sugrue South Downs Cuvee Boz Coldharbour Single Vineyard 2015 e th n c e t ti e in t Sandridge Barton Pinot Noir 2020 n i e t nc

e t ti cch Chapel Down Kit’s Coty Bacchus 2020 ch pe nc

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BEST BRANDS 2023-24

AWARD winners Taste of the West 2023

Sauces & Accompaniments EG Catering (My Burrito) Mexican Marinade

The South West Sustainability Award Westaways westawaysausages.com Supreme Champion Product Taste Of Sidmouth Pear & Ricotta ice cream tasteofsidmouth.co.uk Reserve Champion Product Sea Sisters seasisters.co.uk Savoury Bakery Anton’s Butchers Chicken, Ham & Asparagus Pie antonsofcolyton.co.uk Sweet Bakery & Desserts Truly Treats Angelic Carrot Cake trulytreats.com Confectionary Exmoor Fudge Kitchen Vanilla & Blackcurrant Fudge exmoorfudgekitchen.com Chocolate Hollychocs Seasonal Chocolate Box hollychocs.com Ice Creams & Sorbets Taste Of Sidmouth Pear & Ricotta tasteofsidmouth.co.uk

Free From Bobbies Bakes Gluten Free Chocolate Slice

Cheese Sharpham Dairy Sharpham Rushmore sharphamcheese.co.uk

Fish Sea Sisters

Dairy (Non-Cheese) Farrs Farm Butter farrsfarm.co.uk

Ready Meals & Soups Chef on Board Seafood Linguine chefonboard.com

Meat & Poultry Gamekeepers Larder Sika Venison Rump gamekeeperslarder.co.uk

Snacks & Light Eats RaviOllie

Charcuterie Capreolus Fine Foods. Pork with Pink Peppercorn Salami c pe ne c

Eggs Little Hollacombe Farm Medium Free Range Eggs freerangeeggs.shop

Sausages Tre Pol & Pen Venison Sausage trepolandpen.co.uk

Vegan Truly Treats Vegan Hazelnut Brookie trulytreats.com

Bacon Denhay Farms Denhay Bacon By Nature Unsmoked Back Bacon denhay.co.uk

Sweet Preserves Quince Honey Farm Devon Honey Clear 340g quincehoneyfarm.co.uk

Dalemain World Marmalade Awards 2023

London Spirits Competition 2023

Homemade award winners Double Gold winner Tim Nind, Edinburgh Seville orange & ginger marmalade

World Cider Awards 2023 Best Sparkling Cider Sidro Del Bosco Best Flavoured Cider Ginger Hard Candy Best Keeved Cider Brut La Chouette lachouettecider.com Best Specialty Cider 20 Manzanas Valverán llagaresvalveran.com

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

Best Still Cider Strong Kentish Cider Sweet Biddenden Cider biddendenvineyards. com Best Rosé Cider Rouge La Mordue lamordue.fr Best Sparkling Perry Fils De Pomme Organic Pear Cider fils-de-pomme. com

seasisters.co.uk

raviollie.co.uk

Pickles, Chutneys & Relishes Sarah and Finns Mild Chilli Relish h n nn c Wines, Spirits & Liqueurs Knightor Knightor Rosé Vermouth knightor.com Beer Keltek Cornish Brewery Beheaded keltek-brewery.co.uk Cider Richs Cider Vintage richscider.co.uk Non-Alcoholic Cold Drinks Navas Drinks Navas Dry Ginger Ale navasdrinks.com Non-Alcoholic Hot Drinks Tea’s Me Organic Propertea teasme.co.uk

Spirit of the Year North Uist Distillery Downpour Scottish Dry Gin northuistdistillery.com

Rum of the Year Bodegas Papiamento Aruba Rum Caribbean Carnival papiamentorum.co Gin of the Year North Uist Distillery Downpour Scottish Dry Gin northuistdistillery.com RTD of the Year Young Henrys Brewing and Distilling Company Young Henrys Gin and Tonic younghenrys.com Non-alcoholic of the Year Sober Spirits SAS Sober-Whisky 0.0% soberspirits.com

FINE FOOD DIGEST

CRAFTED IN SOMERSET SINCE 1833 CRAFTED IN SOMERSET SINCE 1833 Cheddar that is powerfully intense and complex with an exceptional depth of flavour.

Cheddar that is powerfully intense andtexture complex with anofexceptional The slightly brittle and sometimes crunchy is a natural result its long and slowdepth ageing. of flavour. The slightly brittle and sometimes crunchy texture is a natural result of its long and slow ageing. www.barberscheese.co.uk

www.barberscheese.co.uk

@barberscheese

Offer your customers a natural energy for the body and mind. Offer them Monk nutrition. 01732252557 or 07545 593245 | info@mymonk.co.uk | mymonk.co.uk FINE FOOD DIGEST

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

RETAIL CHEESE TRAINING LEARN | TAS TE | UNDERS TAND | COMMUNICATE Our one-day course for anyone sourcing or selling cheese, delivered by industry and retail experts. Understand how cheese is made, how it should be stored and sold, gain skills to help communicate with customers and sell more cheese from a position of knowledge.

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06/03/2023 10:28

LONDON: 27 February, 8 May, 1 July & 24 September SCOTLAND: 16 April | WAKEFIELD 8 July | DORSET: 14 October

To find out more and book a place on our 2023 courses, visit gff.co.uk/training

Pantone 286 CVC Pantone 871 CVC

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BEST BRANDS 2023-24

@guildoffinefood FINE FOOD DIGEST

Image: Loch Fyne Oysters, winners of the 2023 Scotland Golden Fork

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

U41260.001-Guild of Fine Food Best Brands Advert 315x230mm.indd 1

FINE FOOD DIGEST

12/12/2023 15:20

Multi Award Winning D istillery ed Pal er

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Pep p

WWW.DISTILLERSOFSURREY.COM

The Original Dessert Hot Sauces now available in the UK!

BORN IN

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100

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In 1994, Todd ‘Toad’ Guiton was inspired in America to find the perfect ingredients for his hot sauce to carry the zest of the chilli through the end of a meal. Today, the Toad Sweat Hot Sauce collection invites one on a gastronomic voyage, breaking the boundaries between sweet and spicy, main course and dessert . It’s a testament to the magic that unfolds when contrasting worlds meet. Wholesale inquiries at PepperedPalette.com. For recipes and more info visit toadsweat.uk.

Peppered Palette. Ltd • White Cross Business Park • 3-2-1B South Road • Lancaster LA1 4XQ 01524 942114 • GetZesty@PepperedPalette.com • PepperedPalette.com 66

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

MUST-STOCKS

Return of the Must-Stocks How do your best-sellers line up against those from 2023’s crop of FFD Deli of the Month retailers?

JanuaryFebruary North Acomb Farm Shop tockfie ort er an northacombfarmshop.co.uk Home-reared Aberdeen Angus Homemade black pudding Homemade farmhouse butter Durham Camembert

April The Whitby Deli it ort ork ire thewhitbydeli.co.uk

FINE FOOD DIGEST

York Crisps Rosebud Preserves Fentiman’s drinks James White Juices Chapman’s Fish Cakes Honey Garden Curry Sauces Gilchester Organic Flower Nowt Fancy Sauces Folkington’s Fruit Juices

Perello Gordal Olives (Brindisa) Whitby Distillery Whitby Gin Rhucello Rhubarb Liqueur The Whitby Deli Spicy Tomato & Onion Chutney Tracklements Fresh Chilli Jam Torres Fried Egg Crisps (Brindisa) The Garlic Farm Vampire Slayer sauce Hendersons Relish Home-made deli sausage rolls, vegan rolls and spanakopita Yorkshire Pecorino (The Courtyard Dairy) Shepherds Purse Yorkshire Blue and Harrogate Blue Simon Coll Chocolate sardines (Brindisa)

March

Lupe Pintos in rg & a go lupepintos.com

Mr Vikki’s Tomato & Nigella Chutney Valentina Hot Sauce Clemente Jacques Chipotles in Adobo Nuevo Progreso La Costeña – Natural Premium Tortilla chips Chorizo from Products from Spain Bodegas Navajas Crianza / Reservo Tinto Rioja Madre Mezcal Tempest Brewing Co. ‘Mexicake’ Spiced Imperial Stout Homemade Guacamole and salsa La Dalia Pimentón de la Vera DOC La Asturiana beans Tajin seasoning

Brooke’s Wye Valley Co – Angiddy soft cheese Trefaldwyn Cheese – Trefaldwyn Holden Farm Dairy – Hafod Cheddar Caws Teifi Cheese – Celtic Promise Untapped Brewing Co – Monnow The Preservation Society – Figgy Mostardo Kontext Coffee Monmouth Gin Co. range Silver Circle – Damson Negroni Ancre Hill Orange Wine

May The Marches Deli Mon o t Mon o t ire marchesdeli.co.uk

Juice Coedcanlas preserve range Cradocs savoury biscuits Calm Cocoa – Rich Mix Hot Chocolate The Marches Bakewell slice

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

MUST-STOCKS June Reunion Deli Belper, Derbyshire reunionbelper.co.uk Reunion Deli Sausage Rolls The Loaf Sourdough Bread Cobble Lane Cured Charcuterie Shiny Brewery Beers Shining Cliff Gin Holdsworth Chocolates Millers Crackers 200 Degrees Coffee Derbyshire Tea Belper Coffee Little Friends Honey – Hathersage Honey Belvoir Farm – Organic Elderflower So Good Kombucha Belazu – Black Olive Tapenade Staffordshire Cheese Co – Dovedale Blue

August La Bonne Pioche Grenoble, France labonnepiochegrenoble.com

OctoberNovember Honey & Spice London honeyandco.co.uk

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

Seasonal and local fruits and vegetables Fresh products including yoghurts, dairy products and cheese Unprocessed basic products including pasta, flour, sugar, rice and cereals Elsa Normandon: Bergamotflavoured sheep’s milk yoghurts made in Vaulnaveys, La Ferme de la Bermotine Gwennaïg Gaborit: Ginger beer, Kombuch’Alpes Léa Mercier-Faivre: Local soap, Nous Le Savons Matthias Charre: Semi-complete pasta made in Grenoble, Les pâtes d’Alice Rodolphe Arnaud: Liqueur du Vercors, Distillerie l’Entropie

Honey & Co seasonal jams Honey & Co Ashura breakfast cereal Honey & Co cookies: marzipan cookies; chocolate and pistachio fudge cookies; apricot & almond marunchinos Honey & Co ice creams Honey & Co spice blends: baharat, ras el hanut, zaatar Honey & Co roasted Baharatspiced roasted pistachio & cashew nuts Honey & Co smoked almonds Bare Bones Chocolate Climpson & Son’s Honey & Co blend coffee Hoots Hot Sauce Mother’s Garden Olive Oil Al Yaman Tahini El Nakhleh Cardamom Coffee Yuritta tinned fish

July

Groombridge Farm Shop Tunbridge Wells, Kent groombridgefarmshop.co.uk Groombridge Farm asparagus Soft fruit from the farm (strawberries, raspberries and rhubarb at the moment) Sourdough from The Bread Smith The Good Home Cook Granola,

September The Balloon Tree Farm Shop and Café York, North Yorkshire theballoontree.co.uk

December Broad Bean Ludlow, Shropshire broad-bean.com Aberffraw Biscuit Co., Bara Brith Shortbread La Tourangelle Classic Mayonnaise

cheese scones and other tarts Tunbridge Wells Roastery coffee Baketastic Salted Caramel Brownies and other cakes Salter’s Must Chup (Original) Temper Temper Chocolate Southborough butcher, meat and game Sanden Vineyard sparkling wine

Baker Lizzie’s Mature Cheddar & Fresh Chive Scones (in-house) Chef Andy’s Sultana & Carrot Coleslaw (in-house) Greyley’s Jersey Milk Brown’s free-range Jumbo Eggs The Yorkshire Pasta Company’s Tortiglioni Pasta Sloemotion Distillery’s Hedgerow Gin Laverack & Son’s Sausage Roll Haxby Bakehouse’s Sourdough Loaf Taste Tradition’s Rare Breed Belly Pork Farmer Hobson’s Carrots Brymor’s Amarena Black Cherry Whim Wham Ice Cream Yockenthwaite Farm’s Just Ginger Granola Lishman’s Dry-Aged Salami Voake’s Giant Pork Pies

Peter Cooks’ Malvern Sourdough Marmite XO SY8 Rhubarb Ketchup Shropshire Salumi Fennel Salami Bold Bean beans Aagrah curry bases What a Pickle chutneys Two Farmers Crisps Belazu Apricot Harissa Perello Gordal Picante Olives

FINE FOOD DIGEST

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

handmade pies with golden butter pastry made at a sustainable farm in the highlands of Scotland delivered frozen, fully ready to be baked

PISTACHIO

WINS

GOLDEN

FORK FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

2023 GOLDEN FORK FROM NORTHERN IRELAND WINNER

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

shop online at

theoliveoilco.com FINE FOOD DIGEST

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

Inspired by global flavours. Are your taste buds ready for this?

Homemade essentials where taste and quality are taken seriously. Pickled Watermelon Rind

Alda’s Originals are traditional vegan recipes lovingly handed down through generations Traditional Hibiscus Sorrel and Chutney made with the finest ingredients. For orders and to see more of our product range at www.aldasoriginal.com. aldas.original

Birdhouse is a West of Ireland sauce buisness created by husband and wife who have blended their scottish & irish heritage, who created a range of sauces inspired by travelling the world.

Mango Mazzaleen Judges comments

A sauce/marinade with a very inviting, complex aroma. It’s beautifully fruity, with great, extra dimensions coming from the coconut. It’s also wonderfully balance, such that all sweet, savoury and acidic elements work harmoniously. There’s a great lasting perfume in the mouth and a well considered heat level. Judges comments

Korean Q

What an amazing consistency and colour. There are wonderful fruity notes on the nose mingling pleasantly with the spices. The flavour profile is outstanding, with all the ingredients working in harmony, and although the heat level could be turned up a little if desired, this is a stunning product. We will be looking for a UK distributor. For stockist info please contact: Info@birdhouse.ie www.birdhouse.ie

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

Jerk BBQ FINE FOOD DIGEST

select your

Character Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox Deputy editor

Traditional Method Brut Vintage 2020 The Naughton Cider Company Picture the scene: t'was a dark autumnal evening, tucked away on an industrial estate in Walthamstow, and a small gathering (mostly men, in check shirts, with beards), huddled in a cloistered room full of kegs. As the only ones not working in the cider industry, we entered nervously, and after a sip from one of the smartly shaped stemmed glass handed to us, someone

Michael Lane Editor

FINE FOOD DIGEST

whispered: “I’ve never tasted cider like this before.” And indeed, few people have. The event was a tasting hosted by London Cider Club founder and “pommelier” Alison Taffs, welcoming Peter Crawford of Naughton Cider Company, who has been making Champagnemethod cider for just three years. In Scotland, of all places. If you haven’t tasted it yet, get your hands on a bottle, and get ready to have your mind blown. naughtoncider. com

STAFF PICKS The FFD editorial team writes a lot about food & drink, but we usually keep our opinions to ourselves. Best Brands is the exception to that rule, so here’s a few of the things we enjoyed over the course of 2023.

Traditional Recipe Passionfruit Curd

Folláin I’m not normally a jam person. Give me Marmite on toast any day (other yeast extracts are of course available), and I’d rather a sprinkling of sugar over yoghurt than a preserve. But the thing about great food is that it meets a need you didn’t even know you had. Folláin’s Passionfruit Curd, in all of its buttery, tropical glory is one of those ‘nevermind the toast, just hand me a spoon’ products. follain.ie

Plain Ghee

Karobi’s Ghee To name two butter-based products as my favourite of the year might seem a bit much. My French upbringing may have something to do with it, but I also just couldn’t omit Karobi’s Ghee. into my kitchen with a jar and announced, “I cook with ghee now.” The nutty, toasted notes and lactic tang work in classic use cases like curries and bakes, but it takes fried vegetables or eggs to another level, and you will want to wipe the jar clean with a slice of bread when you reach the end of it. Life’s too short to pass up an opportunity for good ghee. karobisghee.co.uk

Thiccc Sauce

Marsel Delights

like Buffalo and Mole sauces. But the clincher for me is the experimental sauces, like his Fruits of the Forest Triple Stacked Maple Breakfast Hot Sauce, which does exactly what it says on its label. thiccc ce c

with Blackberries varieties too. If you share my fondness for this kind of thing, you’ll think they’re worth it. marseldelights.com

With their dripping waxed tops and B-movie horror branding, Thiccc Sauce’s diminutive bottles stand out a mile in the loud and crowded hot sauce line-up. But catching the eye is only half the battle. Thankfully, every single one I’ve tried from this Leeds-based producer has packed just as much of a punch inside the bottle. Founder Luca Rollini clearly knows how to handle the hot stuff, as his Caroline Reaper sauce Impaler proves. And he also offers

Full disclosure: It was actually our Deputy Editor that discovered these products. But my enthusiasm for lokum (the real name for Turkish Delight) seems to exceed almost everyone else’s, so I’m claiming it. I like the jazzy branding approach of this UKbased start-up and the fact that the contents are Turkish-made means it is proper stuff, rather than a chocolate-coated imposter (which I also don’t mind eating, for the record). While the Pistachio version is top notch, I really like the more

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

STAFF PICKS Poacher 50

Lincolnshire Poacher

Patrick McGuigan Cheese writer

Nick Baines Features Writer

Corinium

King Stone Dairy lincolnshirepoachercheese.com

Abaty Glas kingstonedairy.com

Strawberry & Basil

Caws Pen Helyg

So Good Kombucha

sogoodkombucha.com

instagram.com/caws_penhelyg/

Vegan Samosa Windmill Organics

Lynda Searby Features writer

mr-organic.com

Mud/Wtr Coffee Replacement :rise Cocoa

windmillorganics.com

Antipasti Dips Mr Organic

uk.mudwtr.com

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST

Without ‘Old Times’ Orange marmalade, your breakfast is just toast. Tiptree ‘Old Times’ Orange, a traditional British marmalade. Sweet, and not too tangy with fine cut peel. The Wilkin family have been farming at Tiptree, Essex, since 1757, and making quality preserves there since 1885. We grow a wide range of traditional English fruits and use them

to make conserves and condiments in our nut-free factory by the farm. Our products are made to cherished recipes and are free from artificial colours and flavours. We inspect and prepare our fruit by hand then cook in small batches using traditional, copper-bottomed pans.

The Preserve of Good Taste WILKIN & SONS LIMITED

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

TIPTREE

COLCHESTER

ESSEX

CO5 0RF

W W W.TIPTREE.COM

FINE FOOD DIGEST

01366 381250

sales@sfea.co.uk

www.sfea.co.uk

Discover an exceptional array of local, national, and international delicacies delivered to every corner of the UK! Our offerings include the most exotic foods in the world and probably the best cakes and biscuits in the country, all freshly produced in our very own bakery. We also supply a huge range of prepacked own-label products!

JuST A sMAlL sELeCTiON OF OUr IcONiC aND PReMIeR bRAnDS:

BEST BRANDS 2023-24

FINE FOOD DIGEST