Northamptonshire was fizzing with excitement as this year’s finalists in the Artisan Local Product and Artisan Local Drink categories were announced, showcasing tremendous innovation, quality and passion for craftsmanship.
Fourteen of the county’s
best artisan food and drink products have been revealed as finalists, they will now compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze in their respective categories.
The Artisan classification includes products from local companies that make a high-quality or distinctive product in small quantities, usually by hand or using traditional methods.
Rachel Mallows MBE DL, Awards Director, said: “Innovation is a theme in the Artisan categories this year, which is exciting to see. Across both categories, judges could not meet my maximum five shortlist. Not only were the entries wide ranging but also every judging session had feedback about the brilliant innovation of producers, as well as the exceptional taste.”
The finalists for both categories are:
Artisan Local Product of the Year, Sponsored by Heygates Flour and Animal Feed Millers: Cookie Babes, Cookie Babes Cinnamon Roll THICC Cookie; Hamm Tun Fine Foods, Northamptonshire Blue; Made by the Beekeeper, New Lodge Vineyard Marmalade with Honey; Moorgate Farm, Moorgate Farm Turkey and Leek Pie; Northampton Charcuterie Company Ltd, Coppa; The Falcon Inn, Guinness Bread; and The Jam Queen, Raspberry and Blackberry Jam.
Artisan Local Drink of the Year, Sponsored by Warner’s Distillery: Great Oakley Brewery, Nuggernaut; Made by the Beekeper, Queen & Co Mead; New Lodge Vineyard, Earls Baron Saxon 2023; Stoneyfields, Stoneyfields English Quality Sparkling Wine 2019 Rose; The Food Library, Blackberry, Rhubarb & Cardamom Liqueur; Wharf Distillery, Equinox – Single Malt English Whiskey; and Wild & Furrow, Wild & Furrow Oat Drink.
Brilliant local college students have also been recognised in the awards’ Food and Drink College Student competition, hosted by the University of Northampton, and celebrating young people who show drive, commitment and passion for the sector, and exceptional progress in their skills development.
The judges were impressed with the students’ extraordinary skills, creativity and composure and reflected that the future of culinary arts and hospitality is bright locally, with such committed young people leading the way.
The finalists in the college competition are: Dumitru Poroseci, Northampton College; Oscar Plomer, Tresham College, Corby; and Chloe Smith, Moulton College.
The results, which will again see finalists awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze, will be announced at the awards celebrations taking place on October 17 at The Royal & Derngate Theatre, supported again by caterers Portfolio Events.
Details of all the categories can be found on the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2024/25 website.
To find out more visit the website or call the awards team on 01933 664437 or email awards@northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk
