Tuesday 8 October 2013

Awards 2013

We are so pleased to have been recognised for excellence by such prestigious organisations as the Soil Association and The Taste of the West. So we thought we'd share some information on the winning products and what the awards stand for. We are thrilled that our time, effort and commitment to taste has paid off to produce products that are worthy of these awards!

Eccles Cakes: Soil Association Organic Food Awards GOLD

These Eccles Cakes truly are an authentic taste of Lancashire. With every cake being made by hand, plump vine fruits are encased in the flakiest of butter pastry's. Packed with sticky fruits and spices, homely flavours are what makes this traditional recipe so memorable.





Chocolate Torte: Taste of the West Awards GOLD

Our flour-less Chocolate torte is filled with ground almonds and decadently rich in West Country butter and the finest organic chocolate. More of a pudding than a cake, this delicious dessert is perfect for any celebration or even just a cup of tea and a bit of `me time’! 




Winners of this year’s Soil Association Organic Food Awards, supported by Seeds of Change, were announced on 19th September 2013 celebration in central London.  The awards showcase the UK’s best organic food produced with passion, creativity and care.  
Now in their 27th year, the Organic Food Awards blow the trumpet for the best of the best. These are the producers who go the extra mile.



Speaking at the event, Helen Browning, chief executive of the Soil Association said: “This year’s Organic Food Award winners prove there is even more to their products than fantastic taste. Organic food producers champion health, and new solutions to the challenge of caring for people, farm animals and wildlife, while feeding an ever growing population. I am thrilled that there were so many entries this year, reflecting recent research showing an overall return to growth in the organic market. The judges were often hard-pressed to make a decision in many categories as the quality was so high.”  

Out of a hugely impressive 1040 products entered into the Taste of the West awards, 166 won a Gold Award, 216 were awarded a Silver Award and 213 were given a Bronze Award.

Taste of the West is renowned for recognising excellence and dedication throughout the food and drink industry. Commenting on behalf of this highly respected organisation, chief executive John Sheaves said: “We continue to be astounded by the quality of the produce coming out of the West Country.  There is no surprise that the region is increasingly being recognised internationally as a key player in terms of food and drink.”  John continues: “These awards reflect this and give the top products the recognition they deserve.”

For more information on our Products, History and what we do please visit our website: www.authenticbread.co.uk

Tuesday 6 August 2013

BRC Grade A



This year, after much work, preparation and determination from all of the staff at the Authentic Bread Company. We are pleased to announce that we have passed our annual BRC accreditation with flying colours.

'The BRC Global Standards are a leading global safety and quality certification programme, used throughout the world by over 17,000 certificated suppliers in 90 countries through a network of over 80 accredited and BRC recognised Certification Bodies. The BRC Global Standards are widely used by suppliers and global retailers. They facilitate standardization of quality, safety, operational criteria and manufacturers’ fulfillment of legal obligations.'

This prestigious certification is highly valued, being a sign of great quality and is especially valuable in the light of certain British food being compromised earlier this year (Horse Meat saga). Therefore we are extremely pleased with our achievement of an A grade, and look forward to maintaining this standard of quality for our customers throughout the year.

Thursday 13 June 2013

Awards

1996

In only their first year of Business, Alan and Jane impressed the judges at the Soil Association Organic Food Awards and won the Baked Goods overall category, a prestigious award for any organic producer but especially impressive considering their young business.  Judge and celebrity Chef Michael Barry Presented Alan with the award at the NEC. Judges included Anthony Whorral-Thompson, Michael Barry, and critics from the Telegraph, Guardian and Independent - Matthew Fort, Annie Bell and Sarah Evans.

Our Olive Bread was named Winner of the Soil Association Organic Food Award for the Baked Goods category and received a certificate of excellence. It also received a Gold Award at 'The Royal Bath & West Show' in conjunction with the taste of the west.




1998

Our Mixed Seed Bread was named Soil Association Winner and received a certificate of excellence for 'Your Organic Food Awards'.

2000

Our Christmas Pudding was named Winner of The Soil Association Organic Food Awards.

2002

Our Sour dough Pain au Levain and Chocolate Cake were Commended at the Soil Association Organic Food Awards.

2004

Our Mincemeat received a Silver Award at the Taste of the West show.
Our Sour Dough Pain au Levain was Highly Commended at the Soil Association Organic Food Awards, it also received a Gold Award from The Royal Bath & West Show in conjunction with the Taste of the West.





2007

Our Christmas Pudding received a Bronze Award by the Taste of the West.
Our Country Pasty also received a Bronze Award  and our All Butter Croissant was awarded a Silver Award at The Royal Bath & West Show in conjunction with the Taste of the West.




Friday 31 May 2013

Rick Stein Food Hero 2002













The Authentic Bread Company was declared a food hero in 2002 in the publication of Rick Steins Food Heroes. We also appeared on a Christmas Special 'Rick Steins Christmas Odyssey' with our award winning Christmas Pudding. Rick steins food heroes, represented a growing revolution in TV series, highlighting the importance of good food, we were particularly pleased to be part of this, as for us, quality and taste is paramount.

This traditional pudding is crammed full of plump vine fruits, plenty of organic brandy and a generous helping of Gloucestershire Stout. It was named Winner of the Organic Food Awards in 2000 and won a Bronze award in the Taste of the West 2007.



Thursday 30 May 2013

Mince Pie Madness

When it comes to Christmas, Mince pies really do sell like hot cakes! Whether your perfect pie be all butter luxury, vegan, bite size or gluten free we cater for all. Our award winning brandy-rich mincemeat (Silver Taste of the West 2004) keeps the pie moist and tender and whether the pastry be Gluten free, Vegan or All butter it is always melt in the mouth. 

In December 2009 our pies were voted as one of the top 10 best mince pies according to the Independent - 
'More of a pudding than a pie, we recommend trying these warm with lashings of cream or brandy butter. They're large, and utterly rammed with chewy, gooey, dried fruit. ' 

Other reviews include Chez Maxima- ' ...mini mince pies are an absolute delight to look at. They are very tasty, with a perfect ratio of the light crumbly buttery shortcrust pastry to the mincemeat, and they are organic, which is an added bonus.'

Goodness Direct Blog- 'They've been making waves in the festive food market for a few years now and their vegan mince pies are rated as some of the best you can buy.'






Energy Saving Ovens 2011

The Authentic Bread Company has always striven to be an environmentally conscious business, being Organic ensures the use of environmentally friendly and animal friendly farming methods under strict regulations. We also participate fully in recycling services and minimising land fill with a 'manufacture to order policy' and also incorporate a range of Eco-minded packaging. The installation of wood burning ovens has been a big step in significantly reducing our carbon output.


As quoted in the Renewable Energy Progress Report: South West Annual Survey 2011


'During June 2010 the Authentic Bread Company, suppliers of the Abel and Cole brand, replaced two electric bread ovens with two wood pellet burning rack ovens. Each oven has a 50 kW output and together are expected to save approximately 55 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. The new system was installed by Bakewell Ovens Ltd, currently the only installers of their type within the UK. The Authentic Bread Company is now being used as a national example of how bakeries throughout the UK can reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprints.'