A food village in Bude which is home to some of the country’s top artisan producers was the big winner at the inaugural Great Cornish Food Awards, which took place last night [Thursday, February 6] in a ceremony held at Nancarrow Farm near Truro.
More than 60 leading names and rising stars in the food, drink, farming and fishing sectors from the Tamar Valley to the Isles of Scilly were contenders for the prizes, devised by Great Cornish Food to celebrate the positive roles the industry plays in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and in a changing world and climate.
Norton Barton Artisan Food Village was named Winner of Winners, having taken the In It Together Award in recognition of its collaborative approach to business. Norton Barton is home to Cornish Charcuterie, Popti, The Cornish Distilling Company and Whalesborough Cheese, with small producers working together to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency and sustainability.
Business owner Richard Harding said: “The food and drink industry in Cornwall is brilliant and has so much scope for growth in the future, both nationally and internationally. Thank you to everyone who has helped us on our journey so far.”
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The Fishing for the Future Award was won by Bryher-based Island Fish Ltd, a family business consisting of three generations working to breathe new life into a declining Scillonian industry.
Treway Farm, near St Austell, won the Farming for the Future Award. The farm runs a pasture-fed system for 250 shorthorn cattle and produces free-range bronze turkeys and geese for Christmas.
Porthleven’s Origin Coffee Roasters took the Food for the Future Award. One of the UK’s longest-standing speciality roasters, it has eight coffee shops across the UK with an ever-evolving product range.
Tregothnan, near Truro, won the Raising the Bar Award, which recognised an organisation raising its business to a new level and setting a higher bar to inspire others. The estate is now home to Europe's largest tea garden, with more than 29 miles of bushes now in production.
Newquay Orchard won the Growing People Award, in recognition of the positive impact a people-first philosophy can have on business success and reputation. Its urban green space provides volunteering and education programmes for adults and young people, a café and teaching kitchen, weekly veg bag scheme, health and wellbeing drop-ins, and a host of family-friendly events.
The Making A Mark Award, celebrating an organisation that has helped put the region firmly on the food map, was won by Lyhner Dairies, Ponsanooth, producer of nettle-wrapped cheese Cornish Yarg.
Ruth Huxley, managing director of the Great Cornish Food Store in Truro and founder of industry body Cornwall Food & Drink, said the high number of entries from businesses of all sizes reflected the quality and innovation of standard bearers across the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, and was “massively heartening”.
The evening was hosted by Daphne Skinnard of BBC Radio Cornwall and featured special guest was Jill Stein OBE, reflecting on 50 years since the launch of The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow.