The annual Cotswold Life Food and Drink Awards ceremony took place recently with a number of local producers taking away accolades.
The award ceremony, divided into 13 categories, aims to celebrate the industry’s most hardworking individuals and the best food and drink the Cotswolds has to offer.
The Food and Farming Hero Award was given to Liz Godsell of Godsells Cheese. The business, based near Stroud, has since 2001 produced a range of award-winning artisan cheeses handmade on the family dairy farm.
The Best Food Product or Producer Award was given to Alfonso Gelateria. The business combines milk and cream from Cotteswold Dairy with natural ingredients to create a range of flavours. There are shops in Stow-on-the-Wold, Cirencester, Stroud, Cheltenham, Woodstock and Witney.
The Best Drinks Producer Award was given to Hayles Fruit Farm. Single variety juices and ciders are available on the farm near Winchcombe where the Harrell family grow, hand pick, press and bottle their products.
Bakery of the Year Award went to KNEAD Bakery. Traditional mills in Gloucestershire supply stoneground flour produced from heritage grains to KNEAD Bakery, while dairies in the Cotswolds provide butter and milk used in its award-winning patisserie.
Farmer of the Year Award was garnered by Copsegrove Farm near Bisley. Regenerative farming has always been practised at the Farm, with its species-rich grassland grazed by Welsh Black cattle.
And finally, Food Retailer of the Year Award was given to Lower Hampen Farm. Based outside Andoversford, the farm grows or produces almost everything it sells from the meat of Devon Close sheep to honey, vegetables, flowers, preserves and fruit, following regenerative farming techniques.