Last updated at 18:09, Monday, 21 January 2013

THE finest food and drink in Furness will be showcased in London at a special event to celebrate Cumbrian produce.

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MPs from across the county were asked to pick the best food and drink business from their constituencies.

Those chosen will be invited to put their goods on display at the Houses of Parliament during Cumbria Day on February 13.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock received 10 nominations, but decided to let the public pick a winner and organised a ballot on his website.

Broughton Village Bakery topped the poll with 699 votes and they will be joined in London by Green’s bakery in Barrow, which came second with 556 votes, and Ulverston Brewing Company, which took third with 311 votes.

Other suppliers nominated were Tyson’s Butchers, Broughton; Woodland Free Range Meats, Broughton; Thomas’s Bakery, Dalton; Gillam’s Tearooms in Ulverston; Stringer’s Beer, Ulverston; Foxfield Brewery; and Cumbrian Pig Company in Ulverston.

Broughton Village Bakery is run by Chrissi and Shaun Bryant, who are comparative newcomers to the baking game.

Mr Bryant was a prison officer at Lancaster and his wife was a pupil liaison officer in Witherslack before they took on the Broughton business just 14 months ago.

But the couple are fast-becoming accustomed to the limelight after they recently appeared on ITV1’s Britain’s Best Bakery.

Mrs Bryant, 44, said: “We are overwhelmed by the support we’ve had to help us get the House of Commons and represent this area.

“It’s been an incredible year for us and this public vote has given us such encouragement.

“Thank you to everyone who voted and kept the polls exciting and nail-biting, but a special thanks to the 700 who took the time to vote for Broughton Village Bakery and Cafe.

“We’re lucky that we don’t have to go far in Cumbria to get good quality, fresh ingredients which makes our job easier when baking and cooking, so we’ll do our best to make Cumbria proud and Westminster jealous!”

Mr Woodcock said: “Furness has a long tradition for producing suppliers of top quality food and drink – there are a lot of stories about Marsh’s legendary Sass, for example.

“And that tradition has continued in the present day, when small firms manage to thrive in tough economic conditions because of the excellence of the goods they produce.

“These small firms deserve the loyal following they have from Furness people.

“I am glad so many people took part in the ballot and I am looking forward to helping showcase their superb produce in London.”

First published at 17:30, Monday, 21 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk