Who Took Home the Top Prize? Cornwall’s First-Ever Great Cornish Food Awards Winners Revealed

Published On: 7 February 2025Last Updated: 7 February 2025By CornishStuff

Photo: Ruth Huxley (centre) of Great Cornish Food on stage with winners of the first-ever Great Cornish Foods Awards. – Photo Credit: Toby Weller/Great Cornish Food

Cornwall’s finest food and drink producers were celebrated last night (Thursday 6th February 2025) at the inaugural Great Cornish Food Awards, with Norton Barton Artisan Food Village crowned Winner of Winners at a ceremony held at Nancarrow Farm near Truro.

Norton Barton Claims Top Honours

The food village, located just outside Bude, stood out for its success in uniting several artisan food brands under one roof, fostering collaboration while focusing on efficiency and sustainability. Home to Cornish Charcuterie, Popti, The Cornish Distilling Company, and Whalesborough Cheese, Norton Barton’s collective approach to production saw it scoop not only the Winner of Winners award, sponsored by Bishop Fleming, but also the In It Together Award, which recognises the benefits of working collaboratively in the food and drink sector.

Richard Harding, owner of Norton Barton Artisan Food Village, said:

“The food and drink industry in Cornwall is brilliant and has so much scope for growth in the future, both nationally and internationally. Thank you to everyone who has helped us on our journey so far.”

Photo: (from left): Ben Harding, Richard Harding and Fionagh Harding of Norton Barton Artisan Food Village with the Winner of Winners trophy presented by Alison Oliver of Bishop Fleming. – Photo Credit: Toby Weller/Great Cornish Food

Honouring Sustainability and Future Growth

Three awards on the night focused on the changing landscape of Cornwall’s food, drink, fishing, and farming industries:

Fishing for the Future Award – Won by Island Fish Ltd, a family business on Bryher, Isles of Scilly, committed to revitalising the Scillonian fishing industry. Finalists: Beryl M and Cornish Sardine Management Association.
Farming for the Future Award – Won by Treway Farm, Coombe, near St Austell, for its pasture-fed shorthorn cattle and free-range poultry. Finalists: Riviera Produce, St Ewe Free Range Eggs, and St Martin’s Vineyard.
Food for the Future Award – Won by Origin Coffee Roasters, based in Porthleven, one of the UK’s longest-standing speciality coffee roasters. Finalists: Soul Farm and St Martin’s Vineyard.

Cornwall’s Trailblazers Recognised

Other standout winners of the night included:

Raising the Bar Award – Tregothnan, near Truro, for pioneering tea growing and processing in the UK, with more than 29 miles of tea in production. Finalists: Rodda’s, Loveday Distilling, and Community Roots.
Growing People Award – Newquay Orchard, an urban green space built for the community, offering education programmes, a café, a veg bag scheme, and health and wellbeing support. Finalists: Proper Cornish and St Ewe Free Range Eggs.
Making A Mark Award – Lynher Dairies, the sole producer of Cornish Yarg, Wild Garlic Yarg, Cornish Kern, and Stithians Cheese. Finalists: Treway Farm, Proper Cornish, and Prima Bakeries.

A Night to Celebrate Cornish Food and Drink

The awards, hosted by Daphne Skinnard of BBC Radio Cornwall, welcomed Jill Stein OBE as a special guest and were organised by Great Cornish Food. With over 60 nominees, the event highlighted the depth of talent in Cornwall’s food and drink industry.

Ruth Huxley, managing director of Great Cornish Food Store and founder of Cornwall Food & Drink, said:

“Huge congratulations to Norton Barton and all the other award winners and finalists in what was an incredibly strong field.”

Cornwall Council supported the awards through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which received £554,799 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy, added:

“The winners and nominees are a testament to the strength of our agri-food industry and by investing in the sector, we not only support local businesses but also promote job creation, enhance food security, safeguard the environment, and contribute to the resilience of our region’s economy.”

For more information on Great Cornish Food, visit www.cornwallfoodanddrink.co.uk and www.greatcornishfood.co.uk.