Radio 4 awards recognise region's best

A TRADITIONAL Somerset cider maker producing his own brandy, a Truro "dinner man" who holds butchery lessons for pupils and a Cornish retailer promoting locally-grown food were all winners at this year's BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards.

The awards, celebrating the best of British food, were launched by Prince Charles in 2000.

He and the Duchess of Cornwall both attended the ceremony yesterday at London's Broadcasting House to mark the 10th staging of the contest.

Former chef John Rankin won the Best Dinner Lady or Man Award for his work at Penair Secondary School in Truro.

Mr Rankin arrived at the school two years ago and his introduction of imaginative menus using local produce – including fresh mackerel and game pie – has seen the dinner queue grow from 30 to 300 diners.

He was handed his award by the Duchess of Cornwall.

Recalling his popular butchery demonstrations, Mr Rankin said: "When we first started, I did a pig and there were about 20 pupils there.

"The next time I did half a cow and 50 to 100 turned up. They're fascinated by it. It's like a horror story for them.

"I think it's more for the kids than it is for me.

"I love it – seeing the kids realise where their food comes from and watching them plant and harvest it later."

Judge Jeanette Orrey – the former dinner lady who worked with Jamie Oliver – said: "Long queues for school dinners are evidence of Mr Rankin's popularity.

"The quality of his food is exceptional and he's managed to involve the children, parents and school staff by running everything from butchery masterclasses to an impressive kitchen garden. Outstanding."

A special Judges' Award went to Julian Temperley of the Somerset Cider Brandy Company at Kingsbury Episcopi, near Martock, South Somerset.

He received the award in the Best Food Producer category for his work producing "an extraordinary product" using 20 varieties of apple and buying up and preserving Somerset orchards.

He has also revived the tradition of distilling cider to produce a brandy.

Cornwall company Growfair – Pride of Cornwall was given the Best Retail Initiative award, recognising its work to make fresh Cornish-grown produce a premium brand.

Brand development manager Mark Oughtred said: "Our aim is to provide locally-grown Cornish produce and give farmers a better financial return.

"This award increases our profile and opens new doors. We've gone from having 12 growers last year to 25 this year – and many of these have doubled the volumes that they're supplying us with. Customers are asking for local produce so that's what we're trying to achieve."

This year's judging panel was chaired by chefs Raymond Blanc and Mark Hix and included cookery writers, nutritionists, broadcasters and Radio 4 presenters.

Mr Blanc said: "We're going through a maelstrom of change in food and farming, not just in Britain but around the world.

"What makes me feel more optimistic about the future is learning about the passion, hard work, skill and knowledge of the winners and finalists in these awards.

"It has been an inspiration to hear stories of producers reviving food traditions that we came so close to losing, and of farmers helping to secure the future of their own local breeds of animal.

"We're beginning to reconnect with our food again – these awards are proof of that."