Gold star awards for Croots Farm Shop includes Bake Off star’s cake

Steve Croot and Val Stones

Popular Derbyshire farm shop Croots has scooped two gold star awards in this year’s Great Taste Awards – including one for a cake designed in conjunction with Bake Off star Val Stones.

Val’s Virtuous Cake, a fat-free, sugar-free and egg-free bake created by Val, who is the sister of Croots’ owner Steve Croot, was awarded a gold star accolade in the 2017 awards.

Croots Hickory Smoked Chicken Sausage, created in-house by the butchers at the farm shop near Duffield, also won a gold star in the awards, which are widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the fine food world.

A one star gold award identifies a product as being ‘simply delicious’, according to the Guild of Fine Food, who organise the annual awards.

The judges’ comments for Val’s cake, which is suitable for vegans, included: “A good, wholesome, homemade cake” and “A very good cake – and for all that is missing, you’ve made up for in taste. Good fruit, peel, spice, richness and moisture – very satisfying and with a full flavour without relying on many ingredients.”

Val shot to fame as a popular contestant of last year’s Great British Bake Off, screened on BBC1. She later devised a range of bakes for Croots under the Val at Croots……made with love brand, which include banana and pecan loaf, a range of cookies, cherry shortbread and the virtuous cake.

She is a regular visitor to the farm shop at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield - travelling from her Somerset home to bake and advise on recipes for Croots.

Val said: “I am delighted to hear that Val’s Virtuous Cake has been awarded a one star gold award. I’m very proud of the baking team at Croots.”

For the chicken sausage, the judges’ comments included: “Plump little sausages with an inviting colour.  The aroma is of cured, smoked meats. We felt that for a low-fat chicken sausage this is oozing with positive, meaty flavours” and “A very pleasant, plump and well-cooked sausage, the grind of the meat is good, we detect chorizo in the aroma too, the mouth feel is pleasant, the sweet chorizo has worked with the chicken, we are also very pleased that the sausage is not at all dry and remains moist and pleasantly delicious.”

Steve Croot, who runs the farm shop and café with wife Kay, said: “We are chuffed to win two gold star awards for our products in the 2017 Great Taste Awards, as these really are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the fine food world.

“I think we’ve now won 21 Great Taste Awards over the years for products ranging from our sausages and meat to our Croots sloe gin and our Croots muesli mix, which is a huge honour and illustrates the wide range of top quality products we produce here at our Derbyshire farm shop.”

Some 12,366 products were put forward by producers across the UK and other countries for consideration for the 2017 Great Taste Awards, which are acknowledged as the benchmark for speciality food and drink and have been described as the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’. Just 35% of entries were accredited after rigorous testing by a panel of more than 500 judges.

These are the latest awards won by Croots, which in June scooped the People’s Choice Award for the Midlands at the Family Business United Awards 2017 and which also recently had two products - Croots Lemon Tart and Croots Lemon Rapeseed Oil - selected as finalists in this year’s Great British Food Awards 2017, run by national magazine Great British Food.

Croots is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.

For more information, visit www.croots.co.uk Find Croots on Twitter @crootsfarm_shop or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Bake Off star Val to shine at Shire Horse Society’s annual dinner

Val Stones

Popular Bake Off contestant Val Stones has been announced as the guest speaker at a dinner to mark the Shire Horse Society’s National Show in Staffordshire in March.

The loveable star of the baking programme will be treating diners to tales of her baking adventures during the evening event, to be held on 17^th March at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire Showground.

The event is open to the public and is in support of the Shire Horse Society – the only national charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse.

It coincides with the three-day show running from 17^th to 19^th March, which is the world’s largest gathering of Shires and the chance to see the gentle giants of the horse world in all their finery.

“I became known as the cake whisperer during my time on the Bake Off, but I can’t profess to be a horse whisperer,” said Val, who appeared in last year’s series. “However, I’m absolutely thrilled to have been asked to speak at the annual dinner of the Shire Horse Society.

“My sister-in-law’s family breed and rear Shire Horses, and I love to see them in the fields when I visit, so I’m more than happy to do something to support the breed, which I understand is still regarded as an animal that is at-risk by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

“I’m looking forward to the event and hope horse lovers and baking lovers alike will support it.”

Around 300 pedigree Shire horses from across Europe are expected to take part in the Shire Horse Society Show, being put through their paces in hand, in harness and during ridden classes.

Open to the public, the event is a colourful day out for all the family and the chance to support the campaign to save this magnificent breed of horse, which only a few decades ago was in danger of dying out.

Society secretary Victoria Clayton said: “We’re delighted that Val Stones has agreed to be our guest speaker at the annual dinner. She’s a really engaging character and we can’t wait to hear more about her baking adventures.”

Tickets for the dinner cost £30 and are available by contacting the Shire Horse Society on 01536 771611.

Tickets for the show are on sale via www.shire-horse.org.uk – discounted if bought in advance. Adult tickets on the gate are £12, or £10 online in advance, while tickets for children aged five to 13 years on the gate are £10, and £8 online in advance.

Children aged 14 years and over are charged at the adult price, while under fives enter free.

Gates open on Friday 17^th March at 8.30am and at 7am on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th March.

For more details and ticket information about the show, visit www.shire-horse.org.uk or follow @saveourshires on Twitter or at www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

The Orange Tree, Nottingham, raises cash for Maggie's cancer care charity

A tasty Bake Off challenge at The Orange Tree in Nottingham has raised more than £145 for charity.

The pub in Shakespeare Street is a regular supporter of Maggie’s, the cancer caring centre based at the City Hospital, Nottingham.

As well as the proceeds from the Bake Off, the pub has also collected £107 from a swap shop event earlier this year, and £169 from its clubcard scheme – netting more than £420 for the charity in the last few months.

Almost 20 bakers battled it out in the latest event, which attracted classic cakes, beautiful bakes and a selection of fancies.

Guest judges who sampled the tasty entries included Nottingham actress Ros Hanson, who featured in the Bafta award-winning This is England, Nottingham Post feature writer Lynette Pinchess, cake designer Danielle Gotheridge, who runs the Hockley-based Danielle Gotheridge outlet, and The Orange Tree’s head chef Jim Gordon and second chef Callum France.

The winner was Aimee Walker, with an elaborate design topped with fruit. She was followed by Karima Mulji, who came second, Betty Butcher third, and Sam Davies fourth. They each won a bottle of champagne.

Prizes of a cream tea for two at The Orange Tree went to Natalie Smith, who was fifth, Judy Willis, who was sixth, Claire Wood, who was seventh, and Sam Gray, who took eighth place.

Melanie Newbold, general manager at The Orange Tree said: “The standard of entries was superb – well above and beyond what I thought we would get. It’s fantastic that so many people have gone to so much trouble to take part in our Bake Off event for Maggie’s.

“I’d like to thank those who entered, and also our judges for giving up their time.”

After the judging, the cakes were sold off in aid of Maggie’s – raising more than £145.

www.orangetree.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Charity Bake Off staged by The Orange Tree pub in Nottingham

Can your cakes cut it? The Orange Tree pub in Nottingham is staging a charity bake off and is urging people who love to bake to show off their skills.

The event is being staged on Saturday July 14th in aid of Maggie’s, the cancer caring centre, which is based at the City Hospital in Nottingham.

Guest judges lined up to sample the tasty entries include Nottingham actress Ros Hanson, who featured in the Bafta award-winning This is England, Nottingham Post feature writer Lynette Pinchess, cake designer Danielle Gotheridge, who runs the Hockley-based Danielle Gotheridge outlet, and The Orange Tree’s head chef Jim Gordon.

Now organisers are appealing for bakers to start flicking through their recipe books to come up with ideas for cakes and bakes which will tickle the judges’ taste buds.

After judging, the cakes will be sold off to raise money for Maggie’s, which The Orange Tree in Shakespeare Street has supported with a number of fund-raising efforts.

“Baking is really growing in popularity and we know from chatting to our regulars that there are many enthusiastic amateur bakers out there,” said Orange Tree general manager Melanie Newbold. “We decided it would be a fun idea to stage our own bake off and at the same time raise money for local charity Maggie’s. We’ve lined up some judges who are looking forward to sampling the entries, so now we want to hear from people who are keen to enter our bake off competition at The Orange Tree.”

Entries are being invited from anyone who loves to bake. The competition, which is free to enter, has a number of great prizes on offer for the winners.

Details for entering The Orange Tree’s bake off are available from the pub and also to download from the website www.orangetree.co.uk or by emailing nottingham@orangetree.co.uk

Forms need to be submitted by Sunday July 8th for those who wish to enter. Cakes need to be at the pub between 11am and noon on Saturday July 14th, with judging starting at 1pm followed by the cake sale later.

www.orangetree.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Charity bake off competition at The Lansdowne in Leicester

Judges are preparing to munch their way through dozens of delicious cakes after almost 90 entries were received in The Lansdowne’s charity bake off event.

The pub in London Road, Leicester, is raising money for Coping with Cancer by staging the event on Saturday March 17th.

Open to amateur and professional bakers, the contest is being judged by Holly Bell, finalist in last year’s BBC Great British Bake Off TV programme, Matthew Wright, editor of Great Food Magazine, Char Lavender of Bitsy's Cupcakery, and Tom Brucciani, managing director of craft bakery and café company Brucciani (Midlands) Ltd.

“We’re delighted with the number of entries we’ve had for The Lansdowne’s charity bake off,” said event organiser Alex Lumley. “Our judges are in for a real treat, with so many cakes and bakes to try.”

Entries are now closed for the contest, which has a range of prizes on offer, including two £50 bar tabs, champagne and tickets to shows at the Capital FM Arena Nottingham.

The event is being staged in aid of Leicestershire and Rutland charity Coping with Cancer, and after the judging, which begins at 1pm, the cakes and breads will be sold off to raise money for the charity.

“We’re hoping to raise as much money as we can for the charity, so hope that Leicester’s cake lovers will come along and support the cause,” added Alex.

www.orangetree.co.uk


Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Charity bake off competition at The Lansdowne, Leicester

Leicestershire’s finest amateur and professional bakers have just a few days left to enter a charity bake off at Leicester pub The Lansdowne in aid of Coping with Cancer.

Holly Bell, finalist in last year’s BBC Great British Bake Off TV programme, heads a team of guest judges who will be sampling entries in the competition, which takes place on Saturday March 17th.

But contestants need to get their entry forms in by March 3rd for the chance to be crowned best baker and win one of the range of prizes on offer, which include two £50 bar tabs, champagne and tickets to shows at the Capital FM Arena Nottingham.

Entries are being invited from professional bakers, as well as those who like to knock up a sponge at the weekend or create a tray bake in the evenings.

The competition, which is free to enter, has a number of different categories for cupcakes, brownies, speciality bread or a signature bake.

“We are keen to give our guest judges something they can really get their teeth into, so the more the merrier when it comes to entries for The Lansdowne’s charity bake off competition,” said event organiser Alex Lumley.

The event is being staged in aid of Leicestershire and Rutland charity Coping with Cancer, which supports people affected by the condition.

After judging, the cakes and breads will be sold off to raise money for the charity, which The Lansdowne in London Road has pledged to support.

Holly, from Leicester, was a popular contestant in the 2011 BBC Great British Bake Off and made it to the final.

The other judges are Matthew Wright, editor of Great Food Magazine, Char Lavender of Bitsy's Cupcakery, and Tom Brucciani, managing director of craft bakery and café company Brucciani (Midlands) Ltd.

Details for entering The Lansdowne’s bake off are available from the pub and also to download from the website www.orangetree.co.uk

Forms need to be submitted by March 3rd 2012.

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Charity bake off competition at The Lansdowne, Leicester

Can your cakes cut it? The Lansdowne pub in Leicester is staging a charity bake off and is urging local amateur and professional bakers to show off their skills.

Holly Bell, finalist in last year’s BBC Great British Bake Off TV programme, heads a team of guest judges who will be sampling entries in the competition, which takes place on Saturday March 17th.

The event is being staged in aid of Leicestershire and Rutland charity Coping with Cancer, which supports people affected by the condition.

Now organisers are appealing for home bakers and professionals to start flicking through their recipe books to come up with ideas for cakes, breads and bakes which will tickle the judges’ taste buds.

After judging, the cakes and breads will be sold off to raise money for Coping with Cancer, which The Lansdowne in London Road has pledged to support.

“Baking is really growing in popularity and we know from chatting to our regulars that there are many enthusiastic amateur bakers out there,” said event organiser Alex Lumley.

“We decided it would be a fun idea to stage our own bake off and at the same time raise money for the incredibly hard-working local charity Coping with Cancer. Holly Bell has kindly agreed to head our team of judges, who have been picked for their passion for baking, and now we’re looking forward to receiving details of people who would like to enter our bake off at The Lansdowne.”

Entries are being invited from professional bakers, as well as those who like to knock up a sponge at the weekend or create a tray bake in the evenings.

The competition, which is free to enter, has a number of different categories for cupcakes, brownies, speciality bread or a signature bake.

Holly, from Leicester, was a popular contestant in the 2011 BBC Great British Bake Off and made it to the final.

She said: “I'm very excited about being involved in the Lansdowne Coping with Cancer Bake Off; a really worthy cause and of course an opportunity to eat lots of cake and meet cake enthusiasts. I can't wait to see some of the creations and help to raise some money.”

The other judges are Matthew Wright, editor of Great Food Magazine, Char Lavender of Bitsy's Cupcakery, and Tom Brucciani, managing director of craft bakery and café company Brucciani (Midlands) Ltd.

Details for entering The Lansdowne’s bake off are available from the pub and also to download from the website www.orangetree.co.uk Forms need to be submitted by March 3rd 2012.

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk