From Walled Garden gin to heritage rye, Cumbria's small producers have made a big impression in London. Group Editor Andrew Palmer reports on a county haul of five golds, five silvers and four bronzes.

Cumbrian food and drink producers are celebrating a strong showing at the Great British Food Awards, with five businesses from across the county sharing 14 awards and one bakery taking the North of England regional title.

The winners were revealed on Tuesday (6 October) at ALFI in London, at the first live presentation ceremony in the awards' history. Established in 2014, the awards this year covered more than 60 categories, from bread, cheese and dairy to newer additions such as alcohol-free drinks and cocktails. Products were scored against set criteria and awarded gold, silver or bronze, with eight regional titles and a single Grand Champion also announced on the night.

The judging panel brought together chefs, critics, food writers and industry figures, among them Raymond Blanc, Nisha Katona, Theo Randall, Vivek Singh, Gareth Ward, William Sitwell, First Dates' Merlin Griffiths, Great British Menu winner Kate Austen and Cumbrian chef Nina Matsunaga of the Black Bull at Sedbergh.

Regional crown for Lovingly Artisan

The county's biggest winner was Lovingly Artisan Bakery, which operates from bases in Cumbria and Manchester. The bakery collected six awards across three categories, including golds for its Heritage Rye Flour in the Sustainable Food & Drink category and for two loaves, its Northumberland Rye and its Wholemeal Barber Wheat Sourdough.

Silvers went to its Marmalade & Ginger Sourdough Bake and Rye Berry Sourdough, with a bronze for its Malt Fruit Tea Loaf. On top of that, the business was named North of England Regional Champion.

Co-owner Catherine Connor said: "Winning the North of England Regional Award, alongside three Golds, two Silvers and a Bronze, is one of the highlights of the year. It shows that, across the board, our bakery is producing the goods." She and fellow co-owner Aidan paid tribute to the team's efforts during what she called "an epic year".

Double for Eden Yard

Lovingly Artisan's success has a neighbourly link with another winner. Eden Yard, the family farm at Plumpton, near Penrith, grows heritage grains for the bakery, and came away with two awards of its own.

Its Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil, grown, pressed and bottled on the farm in the Eden Valley, won gold in the Sustainable category. Its Stoneground Flour, milled from the farm's own wheat at a restored local watermill, took silver in Store Cupboard Essentials.

Co-owner Jannike Taylor said the awards capped a busy year that has also seen the opening of the Eden Yard Farmshop. "It's a huge result for our small family business and a wonderful way to round off what has been a very busy and exciting year," she said.



Gold at the first attempt

The Lake District Tea Co. struck gold in the tea category with its Kendal Mint Brew, on its first time of entering.

Mike Sale of the company said: "We can't describe how chuffed we are to win any award; it's amazing for a small company like ours, but to win gold on our first time entering is epic."

Four for Hawkshead Relish

Hawkshead Relish returned with four awards. Its Sun Dried Tomato and Herb Pasta Sauce and Tomato & Chilli Pasta Sauce each won silver in the Cooking Kits & Cooking Sauces category, while its Christmas Ketchup and Ultimate Festive Chutney both took bronze, in Table Sauce Condiments and Savoury Preserves respectively.

Maria Whitehead said the result was "fantastic" for the small family business and "wonderful recognition of the passion and care that goes into everything we make".

A first for Netherby Hall

In the north of the county, the team behind Netherby Hall and the Pentonbridge Inn marked their first national award, a bronze for Netherby Hall Botanical Gin.

The gin begins life in the estate's historic Walled Garden and greenhouses, where herbs and flowers are hand-picked in season before small-batch distillation. Its botanicals include tonka bean, angelica, coriander, red oxalis, lemon verbena, orris root and rose petals.

Kim Capstick, Director of Operations for Netherby Hall and the Pentonbridge Inn, said: "Our gin is a true reflection of the estate itself; every botanical is grown, picked and chosen by hand in our Walled Garden, so to see that care recognised on a national stage is incredibly special."

The gin is available from the estate's online shop at netherbyhall.co.uk, priced £40 for a 50cl bottle or £32 for a recyclable refill pouch.

For a county more often celebrated for its fells than its flour, it was a reminder that some of Cumbria's finest landscapes end up on the plate.