West Midlands based On the Breadline has been awarded an artisan food award for its Rosemary, Green Olive, and Sea Salt Focaccia, by food and drink journalist and broadcaster Nigel Barden and premium cooking appliance manufacturer Britannia.
The artisan bakery raises its loaves on Hillcrest Farm, In the heart of Four Oaks to the north of Birmingham. On the Breadline is the hard work of talented baker Sebastian Clough, who trained at University College in Birmingham and the French Pastry School in Chicago.
The Brownie Company, based in Easton on Hill, took second place with its Chocolate and Cherry Brownie. The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop based in Derbyshire’s Peak District took third place with its Bakewell Pudding.
Nigel Barden commented on the winning producer: ‘’On the Breadline, our Gold Medal champion, combines a crust with a perfect crunch and aeration to the dough, providing a light springiness to the impressive loaf. The added green olives and rosemary offer a taste of the countryside bathed in sunlight, alongside the rockpool seaside bite provided by the sea salt. ‘’
‘’All his offerings are beautifully crafted, cleverly constructed and particularly quirky.’’
Jane Rylands, Head of Marketing Communications for Britannia, said: “We’re thrilled with the volume of entries we’ve had from the Midlands where we’ve been proud to host the Britannia Artisan Food Collection. From craft cider and beer to dairies, delis and bistros, we’ve uncovered some hidden gems and hope people visit our map to discover the artisanal delights we’ve been lucky enough to find.”
The Britannia Artisan Food Collection launched at the end of last year in Wales. The public was invited to nominate artisan food producers from across the country. A shortlist was chosen by Nigel Barden and awarded a place on Britannia’s Artisan Food Collection map, before a top three were chosen and a winner awarded.
The Midlands was the fifth of six countries and regions the Britannia Artisan Food Collection will visit.
