Local food producers celebrate success at global awards event

Pev Manners, MD of Belvoir Fruit Farms EMN-200210-131840001

Clarkes of Queniborough, a family-run butchers and deli, received a two-star accolade at this year’s Great Taste Awards, which is acknowledged as the world’s most trusted food and drink awards.

There were also one-star honours for Belvoir Fruit Farms, a family-owned drinks-maker based in the Vale of Belvoir, and Feast and the Furious, a Melton-based smokery.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the winners were chosen remotely and in socially-distanced judging sessions.

Jon Oakes of Feast and the Furious EMN-200210-131259001

Judges gave the award to Clarkes of Queniborough, who have a shop in Main Street, for their pork pie topped with carmelised onion chutney and blue Stilton.

The business said it was ‘absolutely over the moon’ with the two-star award, which was only achieved by 10 per cent of applicants and which is defined by judges as ‘above and beyond delicious’.

For Belvoir Fruit Farms, the one-star accolade was awarded to its lightly sparkling Elderflower Pressé and the Sparkling Pink Lady® Apple Juice, one of its new launches for 2020,

Pev Manners, managing director at the company, said: “We’re really delighted to be awarded not one, but two, accolades by the judging panel this year. “We’re confident that our drinks are delicious, but to have the stamp of excellence by the Great Taste Award’s judges helps us communicate the drinks’ quality and taste in the food and drink industry.”

Staff at Clarkes of Queniborough, which has won a coveted Great Taste Award EMN-200210-131830001

“We’ve come a long way since we started in 1984, but the essence of the company is the same, it’s about creating the best tasting and naturally delicious drinks.”

A one-star award is rated by judges as ‘a food that delivers fantastic flavour’ and it is only given to around a third of applicants.

Feast and the Furious, started only three years ago by Jon Oakes, received its accolade for its smoked slightly salted butter, which is popular for spreading on hot crumpets or dolloping on mashed potato.

The business, which sells its products at Melton’s farmers’ market and at Round Corner Brewing, as well as at food festivals, said it was ‘over the moon’ and ‘really chuffed to bits’ to win the award.