SIX Basingstoke and Deane businesses have been named among the top food and drink producers globally.
Crane Events, Summerdown Farm, The Homemade Brownie Company, A Basing Bakes, Hornet Chilli's and Twinings have all been awarded Great Taste Awards for their products.
The awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, involved 13,672 products being put through the competition’s rigorous blind judging process.
A Basing Bakes has picked up three one-star Great Taste Awards for its pies made with gluten-free pastry. The company's Venison Pie; Smoked Trout and Dill Quiche; and Chicken, Leek and Bacon Pie were awarded.
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The business, which was started in 2012 by mother-of-two Helen Lang, uses a blend of flour including rice flour and potato flour instead of wheat flour to make their products suitable for coeliacs.
Helen said: "Most of our business is done through farmer's markets, so to have the stickers on your products when you go to the market, shows customers can trust them.
"It’s just confirmation. We think we do a good product, but to get people to say you are qualified and that you are doing a good job, it helps."
Hornet Chilli, which focuses on creating artisanal chilli products, received two stars for its Lemon Gochujang sauce.
The Tadley-based business grows its chillis from seeds each season, which are then used to craft the hot sauces.
Bruce Ansell, founder and CEO of the company, said: “We are incredibly honoured to receive these prestigious awards for our Five Star Hot Honey and Lemon Gochujang.
"Being recognised for the third year in a row and achieving the status of a Great Taste Producer is a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation.
"We are grateful to our customers and the Great Taste judges for their continued support and appreciation of our products.”
Summerdown, a farm just outside Basingstoke, grows its own peppermint used to create chocolates, teas, and body, bath and home, products.
The company was handed three one-star awards for its Dark Chocolate Peppermint Creams Dominoes and tea.
A spokesperson for the business said: "We are very proud to be part of the British fine food industry where independent producers up and down the country are sharing their passion and innovation in food and drink production.
"These latest three awards take our Great Taste tally to over 30. A huge thank you to the Guild of Fine Food judges and congratulations to all the other winners."
The Homemade Brownie Company, in Stroudley Road, was handed three accolades, one star for its Mint Chocolate Brownie, Classic Bronut; a mix of a brownie and a doughnut, and Hazelnut Praline Brownie.
Employee Lucy Hughes said: "We’re delighted to have received another the Great Taste awards for our brownies this year.
"As a food producer, Great Taste stars are the most sought-after awards available, so to have received 10 in the last three years is an achievement we’re really proud of.
"As well as being an acknowledgement of the team’s innovation, the Great Taste stars help boost sales in the various outlets that stock our products, as customers recognise the awards as a stamp of approval for quality.
"We’re currently working on an exciting and innovative new range of products, so look forward to putting those in front of the judges next year."
Crane Events, a family-run food production company based in Alton, received a three-star award for its Fennel and Tarragon Chocolate Bon Bon, and one-star for its Hazelnut and Blond Miso Chocolate Bon Bon.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank our friends and family who have continually supported us over the last few, intensely difficult years, and to our Crane Team for all their hard work," said founder Greg Olejarka.
Whitchurch-based Twinings picked up a number of one stars for their 'Superblends' tea range made with green tea, aimed at supporting your immune system and wellbeing.
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