“Absolutely wonderful!” and simply “Chuffed!” – those were the emotional expressions of delight from the winners of the “Best Local Produce” and “Best Drink” categories in the inaugural Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards.

The awards, devised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited, were established to celebrate all that is great about the county’s produce and drink.

The title of ‘Best Local Produce’ went to ‘Sauls of Spratton’ for their ‘Potted Beef’ and it is an award which owner Chris Saul says surpasses any international accolades they’ve received. “This really means the world to us. To be recognised in this way by our own county is just fabulous”. And it is the icing on the cake for the family firm after Chris’ daughter got married only last Saturday. “I delayed going on honeymoon to be here – but it’s been worth it!” said Emma, after picking up her prize at the culmination of the two-day culinary festival that was the Holdenby Food Show.

Meanwhile the title of ‘Best Drink’ went to Northampton’s Frog Island Brewery for their beer ‘Fire-Bellied Toad’. “It’s very difficult to produce a good beer using just a single hop” said brewery partner Mandy Littler “but we’ve proved that it can be done and we’re delighted to receive this award. No doubt we’ll be opening a few bottles to celebrate!

Those charged with the difficult but enjoyable task of choosing the winners from the shortlist of nine were TV chef Sophie Grigson, the editor of Waitrose Food Illustrated William Sitwell and chef Stephen Bulmer of Brookhall Cookery School. Said Sophie “It’s been very exciting to return to the county I used to call home and to see how much progress has been made in the culinary world in the last decade or so. I’m a keen supporter of all things local and I think these awards are a fantastic way of helping to promote the excellence that Northamptonshire offers”. The winners and runners-up were then presented with their bespoke Collyweston-slate trophies by Adam Gray, Head Chef of London restaurant ‘Rhodes Twenty Four’ in front of an expectant audience of around 150 who filled the ‘Cooks Courtyard’ marquee in the stableyard of the Elizabethan house.

The results for the two categories are

‘Best Local Produce’

Potted Beef from Sauls of Spratton  – winner
Mellow Yellow rapeseed oil from Farrington Oils – runner-up

Other finalists
Dundee Cake from Towcester Country Markets
Scarborough Fair Jelly from M.U.T.T.S.
The Boozy Dark Breakfast marmalade from The Pickled Village 

‘Best Drink’

Fire-Bellied Toad Beer from Frog Island Brewery – winner
Northamptonshire Bitter from Hoggleys Brewery – runner-up 

Other finalists
Champs D’Amours Sparkling White from Fleur Fields
Tickled Pink Sparkling Rosé from Welland Valley Vineyard

 The competition’s co-ordinator, Rachel Mallows from ‘Rachel Mallows Services to Business’ was delighted for those who took home the trophies but believes Northamptonshire as a whole is the real winner “These awards have been a fantastic celebration of the best that is available – on the doorstep – to the county’s lovers of food and drink. It’s testament to the high standard of all our finalists that our esteemed panel of judges had such a difficult task in selecting their winners”.

Those were sentiments echoed by André Gonzales de Savage representing Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd “I have been so impressed by the passion and drive from all those who have taken part in these brand new – and much-needed – awards. As an organisation, NEL is at the forefront of promoting business and tourism and this project has been, quite literally, an exciting opportunity to taste the delights of our wonderful county!”