For a small producer like Brigg-based Sciolti Botanical Chocolates, winning a prestigious industry award can make all the difference to your business.
And what a difference the deliciouslyorkshire Awards have made to owner Fiona Sciolti who last year won the Best Confectionery category for her Seriously Ginger Chocolate Thins.
Says Fiona: “deliciouslyorkshire is a real force to be reckoned with. Yorkshire and Humber is a region full of serious foodies, producers and chefs, so if the deliciouslyorkshire judges say you’re the best, then it counts ““ not only locally but on a national basis.
“Being a winner with deliciouslyorkshire really does open doors for your business because the awards are such a benchmark of quality.”
The deliciouslyorkshire awards are now in their eighth year with this year’s winners announced in at an awards dinner on 25 October at the National Railway Museum, York.
Combining Italian passion with a love of quintessentially English country flavours, Fiona forages from gardens, country estates and hedgerows to create chocolates made using real fruits, flowers, teas, herbs, local cream and honey, many of which are only available seasonally.
She started her business from her kitchen but so successful has it proved, she has had to move production to her adjacent workshop.
Fiona, who also won a deliciouslyorkshire award in 2010 ““ for her Real Mint Thins – adds: “On a business level, the awards have given my business and chocolates kudos and respect from all over the UK. They have helped increase my sales significantly as people always clamour for award-winning products. I have attracted media attention on a national level too and it all counts towards promoting brand awareness for Sciolti Botanical Chocolates.
“Over the last two years my business has gone from strength to strength and this year I am proud to launch a range of ice creams based on my chocolates. I shall be entering this year too, so let’s hope the stars align for another win!”