UKTV Food: 2007 Regional Winners
UKTV Food's Local Hero campaign celebrates and champions Britain's diverse range of food growers, producers, retailers and chefs who go that extra mile to bring you fantastic local food. Below are the regional finalists for 2007.
East of England
Mark and Valerie Howson: Garden Friends Vegetable Box Scheme
Garden Friends offers customers a selection of fresh Bedfordshire vegetables, all sourced from growers within a 15 mile radius, meaning that food miles are kept low. Weekly boxes come in three different sizes, and contain a variety of seasonal favourites, such as asparagus, tomatoes, new potatoes, carrots and lettuce. Extras can also be ordered, and these range from freshly dried herbs, juices, free-range eggs, flour, honey, and even fudge. Free delivery is offered to surrounding villages, as well as those living away from the countryside in Bedford itself.
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London
Walter Purkis: Walter Purkis & Sons
Walter’s family have links to the fish trade going back to the 1700s. He grew up living over his father’s fish shop, and the passion for high quality fish he developed then hasn’t faded. He now runs a family fishmonger in Muswell Hill where they pride themselves on making the very best of seafood. As well as smoking their own fish, they sell it fresh and are always happy to offer cooking tips or recipes.
To find out more click here
Heart of England
Johnny Pusztai - JT Beedham & Sons Ltd
Based in Sherwood, JT Beedham & Sons mainly operates as a butchers, providing locals with an assortment of free-range meat, sourced from breeders nearby for freshness. As well as producing dry cured bacon and the award winning Shonka ham, there is also a bewildering choice of home made sausages of different meats and flavours, such as honey and mustard, leek and sweet pepper, lamb and mint, and beef and real ale. An outside catering division offers small parties and social events the opportunity to enjoy a selection of barbequed products, such as steaks, chicken, sausages, and vegetarian options, without any of the hassle of cooking.
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North East
Rhian Craddock : The Feathers Inn
The Feathers with its cosy and inviting interior has built a reputation for fabulous home-cooking over the past 20 years. The daily-changing blackboard menu could include local Bywell smoked chicken Caesar salad, and pork casseroled with orange celery and leeks, with mash. Check directions and opening times before setting off.
To find out more click here
North West
John Natlacen: Churchmouse Cheeses
Prior to opening their shop in 2002, relative newcomers John and Julie Natlacen spent time scouring the county for interesting cheesemakers, and it shows. Their enthusiasm for the region's finest foods is so infectious, you're unlikely to leave without a supply to take home. The Cumbrian cheeses from Thornby Moor Dairy speak for themselves, as does the delicious Curthwaite goat's curd.
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South West
Leona Williamson : St. Werburghs City Farm Café - 2nd place in grand final
At the heart of the city, where some twenty years ago there was but a patch of derelict land now stands St. Werburghs City Farm and of course its celebrated farm café. At Leona Williamson’s café the menu is seasonal and the ingredients ethically selected and locally-sourced (so locally in fact, that the eggs used here come from St.Werburghs City Farm itself!) Family-friendly and relaxed, St.Werburghs City Farm Café is more than just a café- it is a place for the community to meet and eat together.
To find out more click here
South East
James Hague - Daisy's Farm Fresh Milk - Grand final winner
Daisy's Farm Fresh Milk is a small family-run farm with around 80 cows. The family have four small children and are working hard to make a future in dairy farming. Due to poor milk prices, they have diversified into processing and bottling milk and established a traditional doorstep delivery service. To pay back their customers' support they offer free education trips for schools and open the farm up to visitors.
To find out more click here