Announcing the Regional Winners of the Great British Food Awards 2021

These are the standout producers that came top for provenance with our GBF judges 

Each highly commended producer in the Great British Food Awards is also entered into the 'Regional category' of the awards, which a panel of judges from the Great British Food team awards to the standout producer in each region. In judging the competition, the panel takes into account several criteria, including provenance, usage of local ingredients and how the producer interacts with the local community (does it employ locally, have links with local farmers and growers etc.). After much deliberation, these are the results!

SCOTLAND: CHARLES MACLEOD LTD

"A family run-butchers that stretches back six decades, Charles MacLeod make Stornoway black pudding, an iconic recipe from their Outer Hebridean home. Members of the Stornoway Black Pudding Association, they have been instrumental in ensuring its recent Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. We were also impressed by their use of local ingredients, and their strong relationships with suppliers." 

NORTH OF ENGLAND: HERITAGE MEATS

"Heritage Meats is based on the farm once owned by Beatrix Potter, who was the President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association as well as a children’s author! We were impressed by their commitment to sustainable livestock rearing, and the championing of this indigenous, slow-reared sheep, whose tender meat has become a national delicacy. The hogget was particularly full-flavoured!"

NORTHERN IRELAND: IRISH BLACK BUTTER

"Despite being a new company, we loved how the inspiration for the black butter conserve was deeply entrenched in the past; it's based on a medieval recipe that has been brought into the present day and given an Irish twist. The provenance of the conserve, using Euro PGI status Armagh Bramley Apples, was also impressive. The conserve has clearly captured people's imaginations; thanks to its tastiness and versatility it can be used in a wide variety of dishes and has won multiple awards."

MIDLANDS: CROPWELL BISHOP CREAMERY

"Cropwell Bishop Creamery is one of the last artisan stilton makers in Nottinghamshire, and impressed us with their delicious stilton, an iconic cheese with PDO status. The family-run business is dedicated to preserving the cheesemaking skills handed down to them through three generations, alongside hiring within its community and using local farmer suppliers."

WALES: CILGWENYN BEE FARM

"Cilgwenyn Bee Farm produce fragrant raw honey from various locations in Wales, including their own apiaries in Carmarthenshire. They are champions of their local region and custodians of the environment, who work only with ethical local beekeepers. And what’s more, they’re 100% carbon neutral!"

EAST ANGLIA: ALDER TREE LTD

"Alder Tree tick all the boxes when it comes to championing local; not only do they have an impressive foodie family history in the region but source locally throughout their range - including from the family farm. Their sustainable credentials are to be applauded, and demonstrate the team's dedication to preserving the land which is home to their business. Not to mention that the products are delicious and great ambassadors of the region in their own right!"

SOUTH WEST: THE CORNISH FISHMONGER

"With The Cornish Fishmonger’s provenance centre stage in its name, they’ve set expectations high – and don’t disappoint. It’s great to see a business make a statement about supporting local, small-scale fishermen despite the extra expense that doing so naturally incurs, especially when part of their reason for doing so is rooted in sustainability, both for fish stocks and the livelihoods of the local community. It’s great that they supply food lovers at home as well as renowned Michelin-starred chefs, and this perfectly demonstrates their passion for championing their locale as much as they can. The Cornish Fishmonger is a proud champion of the region, and the West Country should feel proud to have it on its menu."

(Image: PT Creative)

LONDON & THE SOUTH EAST: BERMONDSEY STREET BEES

"Not only does Bermondsey Street Bees produce incredible honey from hyper-local locations including their very own Bermondsey rooftop, but they're passionate about educating the public and wider food industry about the importance of shopping single-source and sustainably. It's easy to think that an inner-city location isn't the natural home for a product as pure as honey, but this business proves the naysayers wrong with aplomb. Plus, they have a honey sommelier – how impressive is that!"