IT BECOMES apparent how lucky we are to live in the North when you look at how many awards are won by the region’s producers and their creations.

Last week dozens of products won one, two and three star gongs at the Great Taste Awards, and the fact that there was not enough space on one page to list them all demonstrates the wealth of top-notch grub we are blessed with.

One of the winners – Ginger Bakers, of Kendal – also triumphed at a Chris Evans Children in Need Car Fest, where their ‘Ginger Jake’ cake came first in the professional category of the cakes vs pies competition.

And it has been announced that the perfect recipe for cheese on toast is unsmoked bacon, spring onion, a dash of English mustard and Wensleydale cheese. So it’s a big thumbs up for all those whose hard work has paid off.

As a way to carry on the boasting of our producer’s finest goods, I asked Checkout participants to tell me what they stock that has won awards, or simply what flies off the shelf quickest.

Richardsons, Bowness, have some award-winning sausages, either Cumberland, three chilli or traditional pork (£7.04 / kilo) and three-week aged rib eyed steaks (£18.60 / kilo), which is a best-seller.

If you are nearer Kendal, you might want to stop at Plumgarths Farm Shop where their award-winning Cumberland and traditional sausages are £10 for two kilo, on special offer. You will also find prized cured back bacon, four 400g packs, for £12.

Witherslack Community Stores are selling a range of Higginsons Butchers products, including their first-class meat and potato pie, pork pie and sausage rolls.

More meaty delights which have plenty of trophies can be bought at Dales Butcher, Kirkby Lonsdale. Writing this just before lunch my tummy is now rumbling at the thought of their pork pies which are also combined with chilli, black pudding, haggis, and damson. An individual plain pork pie costs £1.20 and the fancier ones will set you back £1.40.

Grange Bakery recom-mend its home-made treacle tart, which goes really well with cream ice-cream or is scrumptious just on its own, at £1.50 per slice.

The Honeypot, Hawkshead, stocks award-winning Agnes Rose Cumbrian damson and balsamic vinegar at £6.75 for 100ml bottle. They also have some Claire’s Handmade chutneys, such as red onion and beetroot and fresh ginger. The pot with the Sneck Lifter Ale was said to be ‘very popular’.

Low Sizergh Barn, Kendal, has lots of award-winning specials but wanted to shout out about the new Ennerdale Brewery products, such as Ennerdale darkest, blonde and wild, for £2.60.

And last but not least, Greenbanks, Kendal, peaches and nectarines are selling well at three for £1, but the ‘ultimate best sellers’ are Blackpool tomatoes, 69p for £1. Also new in are marrows at 99p.