Artisan food and drink producers, Lakeland Artisan have today been awarded two
prestigious national awards by the competitive Great British Food Awards which represent
the very best of modern British food. Both honours were for products created using local Lyth Valley damsons something Managing Director Geoff Monkman is particularly proud of.
Geoff commented; “The inspiration for all that we do is here in the Lakes. Whether it is Lyth Valley damsons or local honey, all our recipes start with the amazing produce we find in the area. These awards strengthen not only our reputation but that of Cumbria as a foodie haven bursting with top quality ingredients and produce. We’re also personally delighted as the judging process is an extremely rigorous one so for two of our products to have been recognised is a real honour.”
Lakeland Artisan’s Damson Extra Jam was judged by celebrity chef and patissier Eric
Lanlard, and took home a Highly Commended in the Sweet Preserve category. Eric Lanlard whittled down entrants to his top three, one winner and two highly commended. Eric said of Lakeland Artisan’s Damson Extra Jam;
“This damson jam is well balanced and sweet enough without losing the natural sourness
and character of the fruit. Delicious on toasted bread but also sour enough to be served with strong cheeses or game terrine.”
Lakeland Artisan’s Damson Gin Liqueur was also one of judge and Masterchef presenter
John Torode’s top three in the Spirits Category, and was awarded Highly Commended.
John said; “I sometimes make my own damson gin and should I run out this will be my go-to from now on. Good plum flavour and not too sweet, it’s a lovely tipple.”
These two highly respected awards cement the Staveley based company’s title as most
awarded Cumbrian producers of 2019. As well as the double success at Great British Food
Awards, Lakeland Artisan picked up nine coveted Great Taste Awards earlier this year bringing their total Great Taste Awards haul to 45 over the last nine years. All Lakeland Artisan’s award-winning products are handcrafted in their kitchen at Staveley Mill Yard and are available for sale in their Windermere shop on Crescent Road. Company directors Geoff and Mary Monkman are now gearing up for expansion, with a new Cumbrian production site in Kendal currently under construction. The husband and wife pair put their success down to Cumbrian flavours.
Director Mary Monkman added; “We’re proud of what we do and proud to have helped put Cumbrian flavours firmly on the map, we think this county has it all, produce and ingredients that both inspire and taste delicious and a landscape that stirs the soul. In our first thirteen years, we’ve achieved a lot but there’s still more we want to do.”
