food awards 2009

People from all over Northamptonshire sent in their nominations: they championed butchers and livestock breeders, farm shops and country stores, village shops and bakeries – those baking artisan bread and those making pies and other traditional baked goods. Others proposed cooperatives and cafés, box schemes and online food networks, chocolatiers and gastro-pubs – a very broad range that recognised the tremendous scope of the local food sector.

The presentation ceremony was held at the beautiful Boughton House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. Over a hundred people watched James Moulson present the prestigious CPRE Awards.

and the winners are…..

Elliotts - a small chain of butchery shops and delicatessens in Kislingbury, Towcester and Daventry. Roger Elliott rears his own sheep and cattle, and the delicatessen shops he runs with his partner Nick Hartwell are packed with home produced goods

Smiths - a family business staffed by local people, retailing farm foods and country produce at their shops in Chapel Brampton and Great Billing. Originally a smallholding, they now produce strawberries, potatoes, asparagus and pumpkins by the thousand.

Farrington Oils - run from Bottom Farm, Hargave, where Duncan Farrington and his wife Eli produce Mellow Yellow cold pressed rapeseed oil from rape grown on their farm. Other products in their range include mayonnaise, blackberry vinegar and other dressings
.
Newlands Farm Dairy - Gerald Bailey's family run business, where the milk from 100 cows is pasteurised on the farm in Hardwick. Bottled milk and cream is sold to local shops, farm shops, corner shops and garden centres in the surrounding villages.