York pickle business announced as a finalist in Great British Food Awards

A pickle inspired by a family recipe has attracted the judges' attention in the Great British Food Awards.

Puckett's Pickles ‘Puckalilli' has been named as a finalist in the Savoury Preserve category in the annual awards that celebrate the country's home-grown ingredients and producers.

Sarah Puckett, founder of Puckett's Pickles is delighted with the shortlist news: "I'm absolutely thrilled to hear that our legendary Puckalilli, made to a recipe handed down to me by Grandma Puckett, has been shortlisted in this national award.

"OurPuckalilliis wholesomely natural, gloriously colourful and joyfully British. No nasty preservatives and no needless food miles—just seasonal produce, bright fresh herbs, rich whole spices and a soupçon of Granny's know how!
 

"Our customers tell us how much they love this, and all of our pickles, but it's great to have it validated by professional judges."

Organised by Great British Food Magazine, the awards were launched in 2014 and feature a host of celebrity judges including Michel Roux Jr,John Torode, Jimmy Doherty andchef and cookery school teacher, Rosemary Shragerwho is judging theSavoury Preservecategory.

Natasha Lovell-Smith, editor of Great British Food magazine, said, "We're all about boosting small local producers, who may be well known in their regions but have yet to get the national recognition we think they deserve."

"The quality of entries last year was just spectacular, and I can't wait to see what our judges discover this time."

The winners will be revealed in the Great British Food magazine November issue, due for release onOctober 11.

Sarah, who started making small batches of Puckett's Pickles in her kitchen in 2012, has now scaled up her operations and now hand makes Yorkshire Pickles and Chutneys 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 at the 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!"