York businesswoman shortlisted for prestigious business award

A Yorkshire artisan producer is celebrating after reaching the regional final of a national business award.

Sarah Puckett, owner of multi-award winning Puckett's Pickles, has been shortlisted inthe Start Up of the Year category of the Forward Ladies (FL) National Awards 2018 for Yorkshire, North East & Scotland.

Heworth based Sarah, who has made a successful business out of her love of eating and pickling vegetables, is one of six inspirational business changers who are in the running for the coveted title that will be announced at an awards luncheon at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Newcastle on 14th September.  Winners from the four regional finals will then be invited to appear before a live panel of independent judges in November, followed by the National Grand Final in Leeds on 7th December.

Of the shortlist, a delighted Ms. Puckett said: "What a rollercoaster of a year for Puckett's Pickles! Firstly Tom Kerridge stocked our products in his Master Butchers and Pub, The Butcher's Tap, then Yorkshire Michelin starred chef, Andrew Pern gave our chutneys a fabulous review and now I've reached the final of these great awards!"

Now in its 9th year, the FL National Awards and Summit recognise the achievements of business women in the UK and are dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the achievements of successful women throughout the UK. This year's judges include Sahar Hashemi, Founder of Coffee Republic; Linda Plant of The Apprentice; Bill Henry, retired PWC partner and Forward Ladies Advisory Board Member; Rachel Hannan, Angel Investor; Ajaz Ahmed, founder of Freeserve; Catherine Doran, Former CIO of Royal Mail Group and Nigel Lockett, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Lancaster University Management School.

Sarah, who started making small batches of Puckett's Pickles in her kitchen 2012, has now scaled up her operations and now hand makes Yorkshire Pickles and Chutneys using British ingredients and seasonal produce in her bespoke factory. The Puckett's Pickles range comprises the classic range of all year round chutneys including Carrot and Cardamom, Pear and Apricot and Spiced Apple that is complemented with seasonal specials like Puckalilli, Oriental Carrots and Cucumber and Lemon. All are available from Tom Kerridges's Butcher's Tap, selected farm shops, delis and cheesemongers nationwide and online fromwww.puckettspickles.co.uk.

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Photo: Sarah Puckett in her office at Pickle Palace Sarah Puckett in her office at Pickle Palace

For more information or to arrange an interview with Sarah Puckett, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;

Direct line:01430 871360

Mobile:07971 961574

E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk

Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk

Editor's notes

1. For more information about Puckett's Pickles, please visit www.puckettspickles.co.uk
2. For more information about the Forward Ladies awards, please visit http://forwardladies.com/national-awards/
3. Puckett's pickles are also on https://twitter.com/PuckettsPickles and www.facebook.com/puckettspickles
4. Prior to establishing Puckett's Pickles, Sarah worked for Pret A Manger for 15 years and saw it grow from a small London company to the hugely successful International Brand. She achieved many things from opening the first Pret in New York; to delivering sandwiches to Buckingham Palace; to running Pret Operations for the North of England.
5. Tom Kerridge's accolade is as follows: "Fantastic, handmade, heartfelt, authentic products of the highest standard that we are proud to sell in The Butcher's Tap!"
6. Andrew Pern's accolade is as follows: "We are more than proud to use Puckett's Pickles on our Michelin rated menus. They are Star performers indeed! Local, robust and slightly quirky.....not unlike us all at The Star Inn!"