Consider this: the South West of England’s food & drink culture isn’t too dissimilar from parts of France. I’m not just talking about abundant use of butter and cream or a love of cider – nor am I about to draw parallels between Cornish pasties and croissants.
But the following traits apply to both: a deep-rooted attachment to terroir, a staunch – if a little less fervent –commitment to hyper-local sourcing, and a concentration of farmers’ markets and artisanal producers.
Both share an affinity for fresh, seasonal produce, and tradition is an inextricable part of the food & drink culture. But on the back of this convention, just as the French understand their land, sea, and climate (“savoir-faire” in action), the South West embraces innovation while staying true to its roots.
Read on and discover the region’s richness yourself.
INSIDE:
There’s a deep-rooted attachment to terroir, a staunch commitment to hyper-local sourcing, and a concentration of artisanal producers.
Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox, Deputy editor
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Full of Western Promise
Driven by tourism and local support, the South West’s food & drink sector is moving with the times. Artisan producers, independent retailers, and organisations like Hale Events and Taste of the West are aiding growth, diversification, and giving the region international appeal.
The South West of England is known to many as a culinary destination, with a uniqueness and diversity stemming from deep-rooted farming and fishing traditions, combined with a drive to innovate and strong local attachment to independence. The thriving tourism sector also brings in significant revenue, through hospitality and retail, further stimulating progress.
Hale Events has been hosting trade shows for 34 years, initially across the UK and later focusing on the region.
“The South West just has something unique about it,” Hale managing director Mike Anderson tells FFD.
When the organisation first started running events – now held annually in Exeter, Devon and Wadebridge, Cornwall, with a new show in Shepton Mallet, Somerset for the first time this year – tourism-driven gifting dominated trade. Anderson, however, notes that consumables are much more popular now, driving local artisans to focus on products like jams, pickles, and increasingly, charcuterie.
“From the dust-gathering collectibles –which you’d buy, bring home, put on the mantelpiece, and then put in the bin – we’re seeing that shifting towards beautiful food and drink that you can take home, consume, and reorder. So it’s changing, and that has changed what we do as a company.”
For John Sheaves, CEO of the Taste of the West food group, the region’s farming history and grounding in food & drink production have led to further diversification.
“What started as a little bit of processing on farm for added value, has now expanded with a range of producers who have either grown up here or moved to the South West, bringing their skills with them,” he says.
Businesses are producing everything from vegetables to fudge and opening small distilleries and craft breweries. “We’ve now got a heady mix of primary products, added value to those, plus all these newcomers – and that’s made the South West a strong entity in food and drink, now and going forward.”
Each county has its own identity, and contributes to the region’s vibrancy. Somerset, for example, “with its rolling green hills and cider orchards as far as the eye can see,” is a natural home for producers, according to Kate Forbes, owner of The Trading Post Farm Shop near South Petherton. But it’s not just about what’s grown here, “it’s the people”, she adds.
“Many producers are small independent, family run businesses and there’s a deeprooted commitment to sustainability, local sourcing, and quality over quantity.”
Gloucestershire, meanwhile, part of the arterial route between London and Wales, has a diverse food scene with an entrepreneurial spirit, as demonstrated by producers like Three Choirs (England’s oldest vineyard) and Stroud Brewery. Additionally, there are many farmers’ markets and shopping centres like Five Ways Market, where Armorel Willoughby’s shop, Armadeli, is located. There are also other innovative food spaces like the Gloucester Food Dock and pay-as-you-can community meal provider The Long Table.
“It’s almost like once one thing happens, somebody else gets attracted to the area, because they can see it’s happening,” Willoughby tells FFD. “So, for example, the farmers’ market, which has been going since 1999, really supports local food businesses with a small market stall, and then in their own shop. It really helps to establish food businesses in an area.”
As Simon MacDonnell of Papadeli in Bristol notes, recent economic challenges have seen many a deli close in recent years. And yet, fondness for independents persists, and demand for artisan products and local producers is as strong as ever.
“We have a really passionate population that supports independence, diversity and creativity,” MacDonnell tells FFD
Perhaps as a consequence of that, he adds: “There’s been a real explosion in local products, and they’ve all upped their game, in the quality of the product and in their design. They have come a long way in the last five years.”
As much as retailers, hospitality outlets, exhibitors, and awards schemes support and promote food & drink in the South West, there’s always scope for more – and Taste of the West is trying to facilitate product development, innovation and business development, through workshops that connect experienced producers with budding ones.
“They’ve been there, done it, got the businesses, so they can act as non-exec directors, if you like, providing advice and support,” says John Sheaves. “We totally recognise that it’s quite a lonely place for some of the small businesses out there, so we’ve been working on setting something up a funded initiative to offer peer-to-peer mentoring.”
Thanks to initiatives like these, it is likely then that food & drink in the South West will continue evolving, drawing in more locals, and visitors – setting an example for other businesses across the UK.
We’ve now got a heady mix of primary products, added value to those, plus all these newcomers –and that’s made the South West a strong entity in food and drink, now and going forward
From the dust-gathering collectibles – which you’d buy, bring home, put on the mantelpiece, then put in the bin – we’re seeing that shi towards beautiful food and drink that you can take home, consume, and reorder
There’s been a real explosion in local products, and they’ve all upped their game, in the quality of the product and in their design. They have come a long way in the last ve years
John Sheaves, CEO, Taste of the West
Mike Anderson, managing director, Hale Events
Simon MacDonell, owner, Papadeli, Bristol
Dorset
This county’s famous coastline and rich countryside make it an ideal playground, not just for tourists but also for food & drink producers.
Father and son Matt and Si Nguyen, founders of Mother Land Supplies, based their Vietnamese Lemongrass Chilli Oil and Curry Paste on family recipes. (RRP £7 and £8, £4 and £5 to trade, sold in cases of 10.) The oil balances vibrant flavours with citrussy lemongrass, which also features in the curry paste alongside fennel, cumin, anatto seed, star anise, turmeric and cinnamon. Introduced in November 2024, Mother Land is already listed by Delli, Earl of East, Companio Bakery and London N16. motherland.supplies
The Real Cure is at the forefront of the British charcuterie movement. Its staple lines include Dorset Nduja, Hartgrove Coppa, Wild Venison Chorizo and Smoked Sloe and Garlic Wild Venison Salami. The producer has a host of new products this year, consisting of Black Truffle Snacking Sticks (sold in 70g packs with an RRP of £5, £3.15 wholesale), beef and porkbased Proper Pepperoni (sold in packs of 100g, £9.50 RRP, £6.60 to trade). therealcure.co.uk
Renowned dairy farmer Jason Barber co-founded Black Cow, claiming its distilled whey spirit as the world’s first pure milk vodka. Said to be exceptionally smooth and creamy, it can be sipped neat or used in cocktails. Inspired by Mongolian whey fermentation, the flagship vodka is joined by a strawberry-infused version made with surplus fruit. Black Cow also produces a 12-month aged Cheddar (£7.45/200g) and, as of this year, White Star, which has a natural bloomy rind and a creamy flavour profile.
blackcow.co.uk
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Dorset Sea Salt Co harvests sea salt from the Jurassic Coast’s mineral rich waters, which it says give depth and complexity to its products. Beyond classic sea salt, its range includes Smoked, Garlic, Chilli, Truffle, Beetroot, Fennel, Lemon & Thyme and Celery salts, as well as a range of rubs. Founded in 2017 with Prince’s Trust support, Dorset Sea Salt has sought to revive Portland's salt-making industry. dorsetseasalt.co.uk
Using wasabi grown on its farms in Dorset and Hampshire, The Wasabi Company makes modern takes on classic condiments. The Wasabi Mayonnaise, which the producer recommends using as a base for salmon canapés or sandwiches, has been endorsed by Nigella Lawson. Meanwhile the Wasabi Mustard earned 3-star recognition in Great Taste 2019. RRP £4.50 per 175g jar, £3.35 to trade, sold in cases of six. Available via Faire, Diverse Fine Foods and Artisan Food Club. thewasabicompany.co.uk
To make its Black Strap Bacon, Capreolus dry cures free-range pig loins with a blend of black pepper, coriander and Blackstrap Molasses, yielding rich, tangy and slightly smoky flavours. Founder David Richards says the bacon’s low sugar content does impart sweetness, but subtly enough to let the coriander’s bright citrussy notes shine through. capreolusartisanselection.co.uk
Founded in 2020, Tack Room Distillery makes a range of signature gins, vodkas, and pre-mixed cocktails. The Gillingham-based family business’s classics include London Dry Gin, Copper Distilled Vodka, and RTD Martinis, but it also makes Bison Grass Gin, Marmalade Vodka, and a Rhubarb & Blood Orange Negroni. Listed by Teals, Shaftesbury Wine Shop, and the Beckford Pub Group, the spirits have an RRP of £39, with trade prices from £24.99. tackroomdistillery.com
The Dorset Ginger Company’s drinks are exclusively made with fresh ginger and are touted for a variety of uses. The Poole-based producer says the 11-strong range – which includes Original Ginger, Rhubarb with a Ginger Kick, Strong Ginger and Extra Strong Ginger – can be drunk neat with ice, mixed or lemonade or used in cocktails, mocktails or as a cooking ingredient. dorsetginger.ltd
Based in Sturminster Newton in North Dorset, Olives et Al was founded in 1993, at the time selling olives steeped in EVOO, and the olive oil itself . The producer, which exclusively supplies independents, has since expanded its range to include dressings, roasted nuts, pestos and pickles, all “from wherever the olive tree grows”. It says 2025 is set to be its biggest year for NPD, as it plans to introduce more than 50 new lines. shopolives.co.uk
Inspired by China’s most widely known spicy oil condiment, Red Panda’s Chilli Crisp uses four varieties of chillies from the Southern Chinese mountains, which have been slow-roasted and cooked with aromatics to infuse the oil. To this are added fragrant, mouth-numbing green and red Sichuan peppercorns, fermented beans and fried onions. The Lyme-Regis-based producer and retailer recommends drizzling a spoonful over eggs, rice, dips or even pizza, or mixing it through dressings. chillicrisp.com
Wilfried Shon created Shroton Fair Gin as a lockdown project, launching the flagship Zummit Dry in 2022. This IWSC Gold medal-winning gin combines 16 botanicals, including cumin, cardamom, and African pepper. New in late 2024, Zummit Fruity is infused with 11 fruits, including berries, for natural sweetness. With two more products planned for 2025, stockists include James May’s pub, The Royal Oak, and Shaftesbury Wines. RRP £30 + VAT, £21.67 + VAT to trade (cases of four).
shrotonfairgin.co.uk
Gloucestershire
Lifeforce Organics says that by ‘activating’ nuts and seeds –soaking them to trigger the germination process – it is maximising their nutritional qualities and making them more digestible. The Stroud-based brand offers nut and seed butters like Raw Cacao Hazelnut, Crunchy Walnut, and Dulce de Pecan, sold in 220g jars in cases of six. Its nut & seed mixes — plain, Moroccan Spice, or Nori — come in biodegradable 250g or 1kg bags (cases of eight). lifeforceorganics.co.uk
Food & drink, traditional and new, are central to locals’ day-to-day life in Gloucestershire’s many market towns, and an attraction for tourists from across the UK and beyond.
Cotswold Lakes Brew Co is a microbrewery established in 2021, which makes a range of gluten-free beers. The producer sells its cans on and off-trade to local businesses, as well as running a taproom. Brews include the Belgian-inspired 5.8% Cotswold Blonde, the Best Bitter, which combines traditional hops and malt with local surplus bread to replace some of the malt, and two-star Great Taste award-winning Cotswold Porter. RRP £4 per 440ml can. costwoldlakesbrew.co.uk
Bountiful Bees makes a range of unpasteurised and additive-free honey from its apiary in Sandhurst, where the workers feast on wildflowers and seasonal blossom pollen. Alongside the signature Gloucestershire Honey, it sells Set and Creamed variants, Honey with Honeycomb, Pure Cut Comb Honey and bear-shaped squeezy bottles. The 227g honeys are sold in cases of 12 (RRP £8, unit price £4.10-£4.70, order size dependent). Also available in 445g jars and squeezy bears. bountifulbees.uk
Serial Great Taste award-winning producer The Artisan Kitchen has become a household name in speciality retail, known for its inventive range of sweet jams and preserves. Its 29-strong range of marmalades includes a nod to the producer’s hometown, Gloucester Marmalade, which combines Seville oranges with local Bramley apple juice and Severn Cider. Another homage to local fruit is the Blaisdon Red Plum Jam, which won a Golden Fork in Great Taste 2022. theartisankitchen.co.uk
Gloucestershire has an entrepreneurial spirit and a cosmopolitan, bohemian atmosphere which attracts like-minded producers, chefs, and artisans to the area.
The team at Berties Ice Cream developed a range of smallbatch ice cream with foodservice outlets in mind. Made with organic milk and double cream from the Cotswolds and free from gluten, eggs, and nuts, the dairy range includes Strawberry Swirl, Maple Crunch, Coffee, Rum & Raisin, and Wild Cherry and (sold in 4L tubs for £20.50) The non-dairy range –includes Lemon, Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Raspberry, and Coconut flavours (2.5L tubs, £14.95). bertiesicecream.co.uk
Armorel Willoughby Armadeli, Stroud
Since 1988, we’ve been creating delicious ice cream on our family farm in the Cotswolds Produced sustainably with the best ingredients, we only ever use our own fresh milk in our ice cream
Our ice cream is loved by British families, scooping up lots of awards over the years!
Cornwall
Made in Cornwall with high oleic Argentinian peanuts and no palm oil, Freda’s peanut butter comes in a variety of flavours. Its Black Pepper & Cornish Sea Salt flavour is recommended as an accompaniment for the cheeseboard or for blending into hummus. Available in cases of 6x180g jars (trade £2.65, RRP £4.50 each). fredas.co.uk
This county’s most famous food export is the pasty but there’s also plenty of less traditional production going on way out west.
Home Farm’s multi-awardwinning Quince Jelly with Chilli is only available direct in 8oz and 2oz jars (RRPs £6.95 and £3.50 respectively). Great on morning toast, paired with brie or served with lamb, this preserve is made with fruit from the producer’s own orchard in Looe. homefarmcornwall.com
Moosh Mallows are all made with real ingredients and pescetarian-friendly gelatine, giving them a light, fluffy texture. It offers 10 signature flavours – including Real Raspberry, Classic Vanilla, Chocolate Moose, Salted Caramel, Black Forest, and Lemon Moosh Pie – as well as seasonal specials and cocktail inspired varieties like Dark & Stormy and Espresso Martini. mooshmallows.com
Cornwall Pasta Co offers a range of British organic and regenerative pasta, with plain varieties as well as Truffle Macaroni, Chestnut Gnocchi, Wild Garlic Flowers, Squid Ink, and Cornish Saffron available. Packed in cases of 6 units (250g/500g), with trade prices starting at £2 per (RRP £5) for unflavoured varieties. cornwallpasta.com
Rebelicious Drinks produces two CBD-infused drinks, Real Cola and Cream Soda, which are both vegan, gluten-free and sustainably packaged. Each can (RRP £2.80) contains 15mg of organic CBD, and all ingredients (including Madagascan vanilla) are ethically sourced, while 5% of all profits are donated to environmental charities. Available to the trade in cases of 12 cans (£18.80) direct or via West Country Food Service. rebeliciousdrinks.co.uk
From its best-selling Strawberry and Raspberry Conserves to the new Chilli Jam, every single one of Boddington’s products is slow-cooked by hand on the family farm in Mevagissey and free from all artificial preservatives. All of its 227g retail jars have a trade price of £2.81 (RRP £4.60) and are supplied in cases of 6, via Holleys Fine Foods nationally. boddingtonspreserves.co.uk
Spiced rum
Bristol
The West Country’s biggest city has long been a thriving hub for independent retailers and small producers.
Single Variety Co. offers a wide range of marmalades, fruit preserves and chilli jams, with the Jalapeño Jam having become a cult hero in its line-up. It comes in 225g jars (RRP £6.75, wholesale £3.75), which can be seen across the UK at delis and farm shops and food halls. Single Variety Co.'s products are now also available in 3kg plastic tubs for foodservice outlets and bakeries.
singlevariety.co.uk
We Are Curious Creatures has a roster of triple-distilled 40% ABV craft rums in 70cl bottles (cases of 6 bottles, trade £20.83 each). Its Spiced flavour features notes of Spanish orange, vanilla, cinnamon, toffee, and ginger – making it ideal for sipping. It can also be supplied in an eco-friendly 70cl refill pouch. The producer's other creations include a citrus-led Tropical rum and Crumble, which boasts the flavours of apple, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla. wearecuriouscreatures.co.uk
Independent craft brewery Wiper and True is based in Old Market, Bristol. Its core range includes a flagship pale ale, the 4.2% ABV Kaleidoscope, and two alcohol-free beers: 0.5% Alcohol-Free Kaleidoscope, and 0.5% Tomorrow, a traditional German-style lager. All come in cases of 12x440ml cans (RRP £3.50 each). wiperandtrue.com
Bristol has a unique spirit of independence. People here support innovation, creativity and eccentricity.
All come in cases of 6 or 12 units. gingerbeardspreserves.co.uk
Taste Makossa pays homage to founder Grace Ekall’s native Cameroon. The brands’ Original (Scotch Bonnet hot sauce), Ambas’bey (a lighter, more tomatobased version of the original) and Bikutsi (a lighter take on the sauce with a peanut base) all retail for £4.95. tastemakossa.co.uk
Simon MacDonnell Papadeli, Clifton
The latest additions to GingerBeard’s Preserves repertoire are Beer, Bacon & Chilli Jam (wholesale £3.50) made with Arbor Ales Breakfast Stout and free-range bacon, and Original Ale & Chilli Piccalilli (£2.25) using Electric Bear’s American Pale Ale. Seville Orange & Whisky Marmalade (£2.50) has joined the producer’s sweet roster.
“Indulge in Perfection, Unveiling the Art of Gourmet Pasties.”
A Taste Lyke Yaad Pasty, is a Taste of Home
Come visit us and indulge in our Delicious Gourmet Pasties, including the award-winning “Jerk Chicken Pasty”! We’re located in Bristol on Mivart Street, Easton, BS5 6JF on Sundays. You can also order from us every Sunday via Deliveroo and JustEatUK. For custom orders, feel free to contact us by email at tastelykeyaad@gmail.com or call us on 07507686369. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @Taste_Lyke_Yaad, find us on Facebook and TikTok under the same name, Taste Lyke Yaad. www.tastelykeyaad.co.uk
Real Cure’s multi-award winning British charcuterie is made using
welfare and wild British meat, with a focus on quality ingredients, provenance and artisanal techniques.
Somerset
There’s more to Somerset than cider and cheese. The county has a thriving artisan food and drink scene, which o ers everything from cra beers to jams and preserves.
Dowding’s Cider, a familyowned business in Wincanton, uses its own organic apples and local surplus fruit to make small-batch ciders and juices. Blending traditional cider apples with cooking apples, it produces dry and medium still and sparkling ciders, plus a mulled cider at Christmas. The producer has been recognised at the National Fruit Show, Taste of the West, and the Somerset Cider Championships and has built a reputation for quality cider production. dowdings.co.uk
Feltham’s Farm, led by Penny Nagle and Marcus Fergusson, is a sustainabilityfocused, organic cheesemaker. Sourcing milk from Godminster Farm, the dairy’s cheeses are inspired by European styles, and include washed rind Renegade Monk and Rebel Nun (which emulate Époisses), and Gert Lush, which resembles Camembert. Lucky Marcel, a Super Gold winner in the 2024 World Cheese Awards, is similar to St-Marcellin. Trade prices range from £3 to £5.50 per unit, and RRP is £5 to £9. felthamsfarm.com
True to its name, Chilton Cantelo’s Old School House Chutneys & Preserves makes everything the traditional way. Recipes include Rich Orange Whisky Marmalade, Spiced Chioggia Chutney, Victoria Plum Jam, and Somerset Strawberry Jam made with local or own-grown fruit. Since it was founded in 2019, Old School House has earned accolades in Great Taste and Taste of the West. New Late Summer Raspberry Jam arrives in August. chiltonchutney.com
Based in Pyle near Glastonbury, White Lake Cheese is owned by third-generation farmer Roger Longman. White Lake offers a range of sheep’s, Guernsey cows’ and goats’ milk cheeses, with the latter being made using milk from the farm’s own mainly Alpine breeds. These include Driftwood (RRP £8.70), a fresh, ash-coated cheese, and Rachel (RRP £7.35), a semi-hard washed rind cheese with sweet, nutty notes. White Lake has earned many an accolade over the years, including in the World Cheese Awards and Great Taste. whitelake.co.uk
With its rolling green hills and cider orchards as far as the eye can see, the county is a natural home for passionate producers.
Black Bee Honey was founded to create high-quality, raw honey that promotes sustainability. The B-Corp company produces honey in small batches from hives across the UK, many in Somerset, where its headquarters are. The 4 Season Gift Box exemplifies the producer's approach, and features a creamy, soft set spring honey; runny wildflower summer honey; dark treacle-like autumn honey and winter ivy-flower honey with menthol notes. Available in mini (42g jars, trade £9.71) and large (227g jars, trade £19.46) sizes. blackbeehoney.com
Kate Forbes, The Trading Post, Lopenhead
Devon
Devon’s pastures, fresh seafood, and dairy are widely known – across the UK and beyond. But what about the other items it produces?
Totnes-based Ticklemore makes three blue cheeses with different milks. Devon Blue (£15.18/kg) uses South Hams cows’ milk, giving a smooth, creamy texture and buttery flavour. Beenleigh Blue (£19.67/kg), from Exeter ewes’ milk, is lighter and sweeter early on, becoming more robust. Harbourne Blue (£20.23/kg) uses Wellington Anglo-Nubian cross goats’ milk, starting mild, sweet, and floral, gaining intensity but, the producer says, never becoming too rich. ticklemorecheese.co.uk
Jamu Wild Water’s healthy sparkling drinks are said to support the gut microbiome and boost immunity through the combination of fruit and botanicals. The producer says each of the Raspberry, Blood Orange and Lemon are made with allnatural ingredients, which include antioxidants and prebiotic fiber, and no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. The 250ml cans are sold to trade for £1.15 per unit.
jamuwildwater.co.uk
Bar Buoy’s ready-to-drink cocktails are, where possible, made with ingredients from the South West. The Bramble, Negroni and Coastal Paloma, for example, use Salcombe Gin, and the Espresso Martini combines Dartmoor’s TORS Vodka with Owens Coffee roasted in Ivybridge. Only the 3-star Great Taste Margarita is made with 100% Agave spirit, Los Arcos, from Mexico. The cocktails come in glass bottles or cans, in cases of 12. Wholesalers include Westcountry Foodservice. barbuoy.co.uk
The recipe for Figgy’s Christmas puddings dates back 20 years, but now involves steeping them in Somerset Cider Brandy and Hanlons Port Stout after steaming. A 750g pudding has an RRP of £16.95, and a smaller 350g portion has a recommended price of £10.95. A case of 12 is the minimum order size, with free shipping offered for two or more, and samples available to new retail customers. figgys.co.uk
Woodbury Salterton’s Powderkeg Brewery makes a range of British craft beers inspired by European tradition and innovative styles from the USA, such as Cut Loose (a dry-hopped Pilsner), Speak Easy pale ale, and Green Light, a 1% ABV quarter IPA with a tropical double dry-hop. RRP £2.40 per can, £13.85 per case of 12 to trade. Available via Tolchards. All Powderkeg beers are gluten-free and vegan. powderkegbeer.co.uk
The Carved Angel produces premium festive and gourmet foods. It is best known for its traditional Christmas puddings and a range of chutneys, pickles, and preserves. These come in 12oz jars (£3.50 to trade, sold in cases of six, RRP £5.95). Stockists include Planet Organic, Darts Farm, and Better Food, with wholesalers like CLF, Faire, and Artisan Food Club.
thecarvedangel.com
The Fresh Flour Company aims to improve UK flour quality, access, and fair pricing for suppliers. It stone-mills organic wheat from small British farms – which it says preserves nutrients and flavour – to produce not just flour but a range of pasta, noodles, crackers, and biscuits. Its efforts have earned it both Great Taste and Gold Food Drink Devon awards. freshflour.co.uk
Polly and Mat Hilton of Find & Foster make high-end sparkling and still ciders for fine dining restaurants and discerning drinkers. They avoid using sprays on their Exe Valley orchards to prioritise biodiversity and wildlife. Appellation 2020 (£12 ex. VAT, RRP £25) is a champenoise-method cider on Michelin-starred wine lists. Mele 2023 (£2.48 ex. VAT, RRP £5.50) is an aromatic, easy-drinking cider in 330ml cans. Available via The Fine Cider Company, Trouvaille, and Pigs Ears. findandfoster.co.uk
PiQi Life’s water kefir is a probiotic drink made by Aksana and Nick Fitzpatrick as an alternative to dairy kefir and sugary processed drinks. Lighter in taste than kombucha, the gut-friendly beverage has four variants: Butterfly Pea Flower & Lychee; Original Fig; Grapefruit & Cardamom and Zesty Ginger & Lemon. The 250ml bottles have been given an RRP of £3.70 and a trade price of £1.85, sold in cases of 12. PiQi Life also sells its kefir in 750ml bottles. piqilife.com
Buckfastleigh’s Hylsten Bakery produces sourdough bread using stoneground, organic flour from genetically diverse grains. It makes four loaves: Country (RRP £4.85), Porridge (RRP £4.95), Rye (RRP £4.25), and a Tin (RRP, £4.95 for a large, £4.25 for a small). The bakery sells an XL Country loaf for £7.23 to trade, which it says is popular with restaurants and cafés throughout the county. hylstenbakery.co.uk
PiQi
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Wiltshire
At the eastern edge of the West Country, Wiltshire is home to a buzzing community of farmers, food & drink producers, and independent retailers.
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Located near Salisbury on the edge of the New Forest, Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers started makng cheese in the early 2000s to add value to its milk. With its herd of 170 Holstein Friesians – known for their high milk yield – it makes six cheeses, including Old Winchester and Lyburn Gold. Stoney Cross, a semi-hard pasteurised cheese won the Golden Fork for England in Great Taste 2024, and was named Best British Cheese at the World Cheese Awards 2024. lyburnfarm.co.uk
selling local rapeseed, honey and vinegars. What is coming through is good and we’re not stocking it for the sake of being ‘local’.
Sip and Smile makes a range of teas using just herbs, flowers and spices – and some more common than others, from black tea and roiboos to Gotu Kola and Cleavers. One of its most popular blends, the producer says, is Rise and Shine, which has Ginger, Lemongrass, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Peel, Liquorice, Dandelion Leaves, Gingko Bilboa and Linden Blossom. RRP £5.95, £3.60 to trade, sold in cases of six, available via CLF. sipandsmile.co.uk
Located on the River Avon in Melksham, Ten Hides Distillery produces gin, spiced rum, and will soon introduce a barrelaged whisky. A focus on terroir is reflected in the producer's use of chalk-filtered water and local botanicals. The range includes a London Dry Gin with Wiltshire chalkland flowers, a Pink Gin with wild strawberries, an Orange Gin with mandarin and bergamot, and a Spiced Rum. RRP £39.50. tenhides.com
Founded and owned by Will and Dawn Hawking, Marshfield Farm has been making ice cream since the late 1980s. Using milk from its own herd on its 1,100 acre farm near Chippenham, the producer supplies independent retailers across the UK. With over 30 flavours of ice cream, its range includes classics like Vanilla Clotted Cream and Mint Choc Chip, alongside more adventurous options like Blackcurrants in Clotted Cream and Candy Floss. marshfield-icecream.co.uk
Condiment, mustard and relish specialist Tracklements has been a pioneer of the UK’s speciality food sector since it was founded in the 1970s. The B-Corp company’s range of 50 products –including the ever popular Caramelised Onion Marmalade, Fresh Chilli Jam, Rich & Creamy Mayonnaise and Proper Tomato Ketchup are still made in small batches using ingredients sourced as locally as possible. Condiments are sold in cases of six, or in 1 litre foodservice tubs. tracklements.co.uk
