FAR Forest-based Forest Pig Charcuterie and Scrummy Stuff, of Dunley, were among winners in the Heart of England fine foods (HEFF) Diamond Awards.

The awards dinner was held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. It was the sixth annual Diamond Awards from HEFF, the food group for the heart of England.

They celebrate the best of local food and drink from across a region including Worcestershire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire and Birmingham and Black Country. This year also marked the 15th anniversary of Heart of England fine foods.

There were 15 accolades up for grabs, including 10 product awards, three business awards, a retail and a hospitality award. The event was hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Joanne Malin.

Forest Pig Charcuterie, which produces salami and ham, was a joint winner, sharing the prepared meats award, sponsored by RDW Exhibitions, for its Shropshire Coppa with Creating Taste, Birmingham, for its beef and ale pie.

Jeremy Levell of Forest Pig Charcuterie said: “This is the first time we’ve won an award like this from our own recipe rather than an inherited recipe, which makes this Diamond Award really special.

“Quality is imperative. All our pigs forage in the Wyre Forest so they’re kept very naturally, which comes through in the flavour.”

Scrummy Stuff, whose products include fresh and frozen pork, bacon, hams and sausages, shared the condiments and preserves category, sponsored by Hilton Hotels, with Cotswold Gold, Broadway.

Scrummy Stuff was recognised for its damson chutney and Cotswold Gold for its white truffle oil.

Gill Reeve of Scrummy Stuff said: “I’m truly amazed to win this award.

“We’ve only been going for 18 months and have only entered into our local gardening awards as we grow all our own damsons, so to win a Diamond Award is amazing.”

All the products were taste tested by more than 60 judges, including retail, hospitality and food service buyers, chefs, other industry specialists and consumers, at a two-day judging in February at Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre.

Around 200 guests enjoyed a locally-sourced six-course menu at the dinner, prepared by a brigade of chefs - Paul Taylor, executive chef at Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Danny Silcock, HEFF development chef and Mathew Shropshall and Bernhard Schumacher, chef lecturers from University College Birmingham.

Croome Cuisine, of Whittington, Worcester, went home with the EXCEL Award, sponsored by E4 Environmental, a special Diamond Award recognising excellence in business. The judges said: “Croome Cuisine had indentified a small segment of the market to target with a clear, direct strategy that has shown results.”

Nick Hodgetts of Croome Cuisine said: "It's so fantasic to win this award and to be recognised with the Diamond Award for Excel. During my career in cheesemaking I have always strived to create excellent products and it's really important to do this within the right business environment.

“We work a lot with young people and feel it is important to give the next generation the opportunity to express their skills and discover what they enjoy and what they're good at. We want to build a business based on friendships, loyalty and, most of all, passion. This award is testament to the team at Croome Cuisine.”

Winners:

Alcoholic Drinks winner

  • The Wood Brewery (Shropshire) - Christmas Cracker

Bakery and Confectionery winner

  • Louis Barnett Chocolate (Staffordshire) - Saffron Chocolate

Joint Condiments and Preserves winners

  • Scrummy Stuff (Worcestershire) - Damson Chutney
  • Cotswold Gold (Worcestershire) - White Truffle Oil

Dairy winner

  • Tiresford Guernsey Gold (Cheshire) - Live Natural Cheshire Yoghurt

Desserts winner

  • Rowlestone Farmhouse Ice Cream (Herefordshire) - Raspberry Sorbet

Meat, Poultry and Game winner

  • Paul and Kirsty’s Perfect Night In (Gloucestershire) - Fillet Steak

Prepared Foods winner

  • The Sauce Queen (Cheshire) – Proper Porcini Mushroom Sauce

Prepared Meats joint winners

  • Creating Taste (Birmingham) – Beef and Ale Pie
  • Forest Pig Charcuterie (Worcestershire) – Shopshire Coppa

Soft drinks winner

  • Story Brands (Staffordshire) - White Grape and Elderflower Presse

Special Diamond Award RETAIL winner

  • Essington Fruit Farm (West Midlands)

Special Diamond Award HOSPITALITY winner

  • Ye Olde Steppes (Herefordshire)

Special Diamond Award GROW winner

  • Tyrrells Potato Crisps (Herefordshire)

Special Diamond Award INNOVATE winner

  • Hedonist Bakery (Herefordshire)

Special Diamond Award EXCEL winner

  • Croome Cuisine (Worcestershire)

Special Diamond Award TASTE winner

  • Rowlestone Farmhouse Ice Cream (Herefordshire)