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Midlands producers dominate slow food awards

BBC A man with grey hair, wearing a brown apron and blue jumper and smiling at the camera. Standing next to a silver coffee roasting machine. He is in a wooden out buildingBBC
Owner of Darwin Coffee, Kevin Cordon, picked up the newcomer award

Five food producers from the Midlands have been recognised at the national Slow Food awards.

The slow food movement, which is the antithesis of fast food, was founded in 1989 in Italy and champions food producers' commitment to their community and the environment.

Darwin Coffee and Shropshire Salumi from Shrewsbury both received awards along with Broad Bean delicatessen in Ludlow.

The awards, which are voted for solely by the public, also celebrated Fletchers Cider in Kidderminster and Peter Cooks Bread from Herefordshire.

Darwin Coffee in Shrewsbury, picked up the newcomer award after owner Keith Cordon started selling his freshly roasted coffee online.

His business prioritises "having a fair price and having a good relationship with the farmers", which are two key factors in slow food production.

Another slow food producer, Broad Bean delicatessen in Ludlow, pride themselves on their produce's "connection to the land and to the people".

The business was awarded retailer of the year, after having previously won best delicatessen for three years in a row.

Owner Ian Evans said his customers were delighted to inform him that they have voted for him and it added a sense of positivity to his shop.

Flecthers Cider A wooden crate on the grass, which is full of apples, with a tractor in the background.Flecthers Cider
The Fletcher family have farmed on their land in Kidderminster for more than 400 years

David France, the owner of Fletcher's Cider, said he was "really chuffed" to pick up the drink product of the year award.

"The family have farmed on the land for more than 400 years and our ethos and how we operate aligns with the slow food philosophy".

Peter Cooks Bread, who have a shop in Bromyard, Hereford and one on the high street in Worcester, picked up the food product of the year award.

Owner and baker, Peter Doughty-Cook, has been involved in the slow food movement since it first came to the UK more than 20 years ago.

"People are much more aware of what they're buying now, they want to know the story behind their food and we can provide that, they trust us," he said.

Shropshire Salumi was awarded producer of the year.

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