Last updated at 17:05, Thursday, 31 January 2013

A FAMILY-RUN firm in the Lakes has had yet another taste of success.

The Hawkshead Relish Company, run by Maria and Mark Whitehead, has picked up the North West local food award in the Countryside Alliance awards, better known as the Rural Oscars.

In December, the company was named in the Rural Oscars longlist and this week the Countryside Alliance has confirmed the firm and its tasty treats will travel to Westminster for the grand final in March.

The firm, which produces around 130 products in open pans, has picked up a myriad of awards, including 10 business awards and 45 Great Taste awards, and exports its products to 29 countries including Russia and Poland. The national judging panel included TV cook Clarissa Dickson Wright, the Daily Telegraph’s assistant editor Philip Johnston and writer and Countryside Alliance executive chairman, Sir Barney White Spunner.

Kate Nicholson, manager at Hawkshead Relish, said: “The news has delighted all the team here, given that we were nominated by the public. It takes into account the Hawkshead Relish shop, our wonderful produce, as well as the business and our exceptional customer service; which has obviously rubbed off on our customers.

“It is credit to everyone here.”

Mrs Whitehead, managing director of the Hawkshead Relish Company, told the Evening Mail: “We’re absolutely thrilled. It highlights the fact rural businesses can succeed.

“You don’t have to be on an industrial estate, or in a town, you can be successful and still live in a rural area.”

Regional winners go forward to the grand final, at a gala evening at the House of Lords on March 13, when overall champions are announced.

First published at 16:41, Thursday, 31 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk