Several East Lancashire businesses have collected stars at this year’s Great Taste Awards.

Awards were handed out yesterday, July 31, by the Guild of Fine Food, and showcased the amazing plethora of food available throughout the region with a total of 12 winners.  

The accreditation scheme aims to provide retailers and inform food lovers about the most exceptional food and drink and the independent companies you can buy them from.

Clitheroe roastery Exchange Coffee Company, which has had success in the past, was among the stars once again, as was Whalley-based Breda Murphy's.

Breda Murphy’s Food Services & Pantry received one star awards for both its Beef Lasagne and Stem Ginger Cake.

Having opened during the pandemic to create meals for customers who could no longer go to the restaurant, it broke into the ready meal market - and this year's success builds on three Great Taste Awards last year. 

Exchange Coffee Company received collected four Great Taste AwardsExchange Coffee Company received collected four Great Taste Awards (Image: Google Maps)

Guy Purves, director at Breda Murphy, said: “Getting these awards is important and it acknowledges us.

“A lot of people take note of the Great Taste Awards when choosing what to buy so it really is important.

"It is fantastic to display the Great Taste Awards on our packaging. We are developing five more main courses and it should give us a real boost."

Judges at the Great Taste Awards were full of praise for the stem ginger cake.

They said: “This dark and hearty cake has a dense and very moist crumb; we enjoyed the flavour, the level of sweetness and the gentle building ginger warmth.

“A crowd-pleaser on a Sunday afternoon for sure.”

Exchange Coffee Company, based in Clitheroe and with a roastery and cafés in Blackburn, offers 30 different freshly roasted coffees from around the world.

Studio Bakery founders Lucy and Allison Metcalf with their son RalphStudio Bakery founders Lucy and Allison Metcalf with their son Ralph (Image: Studio Bakery)

In this year's Great Taste Awards, its Colombia Granja Le Esperanza and Honduras Gea Women’s Project coffees both collected two stars, while one star ratings went to its Burundi Migot Hill and Sumatra Lintong coffees.

Farmhouse Biscuits, based in Nelson, is one of the UK’s top biscuit producers and its tropical stem ginger biscuit tin and toasted coconut biscuit tube were both awarded one star ratings.

The company was recognised for its commitment to traditional baking methods and selection of fine ingredients.

Fudgetastic Treats in Nelson received a one star award for its Mint Cookies and Cream Fudge, while Doughball Pizza Ltd in Burnley also got a one star rating for its classic dough balls.

Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses in Longridge received one star for its Blacksticks Original, while Studio Bakery in Clitheroe's Sea Salted Caramel Millionaire also got one star.

Full list of Great Taste Award winners in East Lancashire

Three stars

  • No recipients

Two stars

  • Colombia Granja La Esperanza – Washed, by Exchange Coffee Company
  • Honduras Gea Women's Project, by Exchange Coffee Company

One star

  • Beef Lasagne, by Breda Murphy
  • Burundi Migoti Hill, by Exchange Coffee Company
  • Blacksticks Original, by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses Limited
  • Classic dough ball, by Doughball Pizza Ltd
  • Mint Cookies & Cream Fudge, by Fudgetastic Treats & Gifts
  • Stem Ginger Cake, by Breda Murphy
  • Studio Bakery Sea Salted Caramel Millionaire, by Studio Bakery Ltd
  • Sumatra Lintong, by Exchange Coffee Company
  • Toasted Coconut Biscuit Tube 100g, by Farmhouse Biscuits Ltd.
  • Tropical Stem Ginger Biscuit Tin 200g, by Farmhouse Biscuits Ltd.