Belvoir Fruit Farms

Over the past few weeks you’ve been very busy nominating some amazing foodie people and places for our Lovely Awards. There are even a few places near us that we had never heard of until the nominations came in – we can’t wait to rush off and visit them. It just shows, you might think you know an area well, but there are almost always hidden gems still waiting to be discovered.

This month’s winners deserve a huge round of applause – and lots of business – because they are truly exceptional.

Lovely Farm Shop – The South of England Rare Breeds Centre
This isn’t your average farm shop, in that it doesn’t sell fruit and vegetables, but it does have a lovely range of jams, marmalades, cookies and chocolates, and its toy selection has children of all ages sparkling with excitement. Home-grown, home-made, rare breed pig sausages are also a highlight, while the farm’s cosy restaurant is next door.

Lovely Café – The Hollies Coffee Shop, Little Budworth
A good coffee shop should have a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, top quality food that is seriously comforting and serve hot chocolates that would rival anything you can find in Italy. The Hollies Coffee Shop ticks all these boxes and more – its enticing menu includes homemade sausages and sweet chilli chicken. Most ingredients are locally sourced and the staff is invariably friendly. Its sister café at Lower Stretton, the Concept Café, is equally popular.

Lovely Blog – nellyscupcakes.co.uk
This is a fun, cheerful and generally uplifting blogsite. Frankly, what’s there not to be cheerful about when it comes to yummy cakes, frequent splashings of chocolate and some seriously indulgent muffins? Nelly tries out every recipe and highlights potential pitfalls; if only cookery books were this honest it would save all us amateur cooks a lot of time and anguish.

Lovely Deli – Home Gurr’own
Run by husband and wife partnership, Nicci and Julian Gurr, Home Gurr’own produces delicious food for weddings, farmers markets and other events. Much of the produce is grown/raised by Julian on their smallholding in Kent; everything is cooked and prepared by Nicci, who trained with Albert Roux. Home-grown businesses don’t get better than this!

We will be intouch soon with our wonderful winners to get details of where to send their lovely awards and in the meantime watch this space for January’s winners.