PENINSULA Milk has been honoured as the cream of the crop in the coveted Taste of the West Gold Awards.
The Okehampton firm, one of the largest independent milk processors in the West Country, has just scooped the Taste of the West Gold Award for its clotted cream.
The Taste of the West Food Awards competition attracted more than 50 entries in the dairy section from the South West region alone. The firm had to send samples of their clotted cream to be assessed and tough judging criteria were used to assess appearance, texture, aroma, taste and packaging.
Nick Bateman, chief executive of Peninsula Milk, said he was delighted the firm had been chosen for the award. ?After making significant investment at the site which has increased our quality standards and production process, we are delighted that our clotted cream has won this award.?
?This is just the reward that our employees, customers and farmers deserve. We now have independent confirmation of our quality products and we are working hard to give more people the chance of buying Devonshire clotted cream and our other products regularly.?
Mr Bateman said this was the first time Peninsula Milk had entered this competition and he felt proud of the way the team had worked to achieve this recognition.
Last year, Peninsula Milk supplied its clotted cream to Devon Farms ? a co-operative of working farms offering quality holiday accommodation ? for a cream tea week which aimed to promote farm tourism as well as raising funds for Devon Air Ambulance.
Peninsula Milk has been operating in Okehampton for the past six years and has grown to become the second largest employer in the town.
Peninsula Milk will be officially presented with its gold award later in the summer.