[C]ountry Puddings is on countdown to the finals of the BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards to be held in Bristol next week (Wednesday 13th June). Their category is fiercely contested – cheese from the Archers was included in the shortlist line-up visits.
Country Puddings features in the Food Producer of the Year category, one of the most coveted awards with over 800 entries. They are shortlisted alongside Ispini Charcuterie in Northern Ireland and The Small Food Bakery in Nottingham plus one notable extra – Helen Archer and her artisan cheese.
This year is the 20th anniversary of the awards so the awards made an appearance on the iconic Archer’s radio programme. Judge Sheila Dillon, the BBC Food Programme presenter, took part in a special episode featuring as part of her shortlist visits. It means Helen Archer’s cheese was judged alongside Country Puddings!
Sheila Dillon visited Country Puddings earlier in the Spring, taking time to see the farm and the factory, filming and finding out more about Country Puddings. Introducing Lynne on her BBC Food & Farming podcast, she described Lynne as a ‘Pudding Pioneer’. The Podcast can be downloaded from the BBC Food & Farming website BBC Food & Farming Podcast – food producer shortlist visits.
Country Puddings owner Lynne Mallinson said “Sheila was really keen to understand what makes us different, so it was great to be able to show her what we do. She was really interested in how we work with so many Cumbrian producers to source ingredients. And of course, the story of our custard really comes to life when you see it. There’s great provenance and it’s 100% traceable – our cows, our milk and our custard!”
The Country Puddings trip to the finals will be a family affair with Lynne and David Mallinson attending with son Rory who is leaving his dairy cows in capable hands of his cousin.
From one small farm shop customer in 2000, Country Puddings now sells their traditional favourite British puddings and custard sauces to independent retailers, catering wholesalers and grocery multiples in the UK and overseas. They have amassed 16 Great Taste Awards and a loyal following of pudding lovers.
You can find out more about Country Puddings on their website www.countrypuddings.co.uk or visit the Country Puddings Face Book page.
