OH TO have been a judge for the North West Food Producer of the Year competition – the 14-strong panel of experts had to blind-taste their way through 300 delicious entries!

Organised by North West Fine Foods and sponsored by Booths Supermarkets, the 2003 producer of the year event was held as part of British Food Fortnight. Judges included leading North West chefs and food writers, with national guest judges GMTV nutritionist Amanda Ursell and The Guardian’s Food Editor Matthew Fort.

Furness Fish and Game won the accolade North West Food Producer of the Year for its celebrated Morecambe Bay Potted Shrimps.

Chairman of Booths Supermarkets Edwin Booth, who was one of the judges in the fish and seafood class, commented: “The freshness of the product really came through.”

Furness Fish and Game, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, uses a secret 100-year-old recipe for potting the shrimps, which was handed down from the fishermen of Flookburgh. Between August and November, the company processes two to three tonnes of shrimp every week and supplies Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason.

Owner Les Salisbury, said: “As we are thinking about opening up an export market for our potted shrimps, winning this award is a tremendous boost. Some top judges have endorsed our product and this shows that some of the best food in the country comes from just down the road! I am elated and very proud of all my staff and the local fishermen who are incredibly dedicated and have worked so hard on the shrimp side.”

Mansergh Hall, near Kirkby Lonsdale, won Best Bacon for its home-cured bacon.

English Lakes Ice Cream, Kendal, won the Dairy category for its rum-and-raisin ice cream and Denney’s Butchers at Gilpin Bridge was successful in the Best Pie category for its steak pie.

Since taking over her father’s business four years ago, Liz Clarke has expanded and diversified the Denney’s butchers at Gilpin Bridge (which also includes her husband, brother and cousin) into pie-making, sausages and bacon. Commenting on the award for her steak pie, she said: “It is the first time that we have entered this product and I am delighted to have won. Our customers come from all over the Lake District to purchase these pies and I may now need to work harder to persuade my son and daughter to join the family business!” Wild and Fruitful at Wigton won a prize for its Hedgerow Chilli Jelly and Cranstons of Penrith scooped Best Cumberland Sausage.

In the cured meats category, a judges’ commendation was also awarded to smoked duck breast from the Old Smokehouse, Penrith.

The North West Producer of the Year Competition was also supported by the Northwest Development Agency and the Countryside Agency’s Eat the View Initiative.