Shropshire marmalade man scoops award
It is a small family business making chutneys and preserves in a converted garage in a Shropshire village.
But Mikes Homemade has now been recognised on the global stage after winning a top prize at the World Marmalade Awards.
The company, based in Woodseaves near Newport, won a gold award in the artisan category of the awards for its Seville Orange Thick Cut marmalade.
Now owner Mike Dentith – who has admitted he isn't keen on preserves and uses his wife Claire as a taste tester – said he hoped the firm's success would act as a springboard to help his company expand in the coming months.
More than 2,000 jars were sent in by marmalade makers from across the world including Australia, the Philippines, South Africa, Mexico, Czech Republic, Japan and South Korea. The samples were blind-tested by marmalade experts in Cumbria last weekend.
Mr Dentith, 34, said: "I am extremely proud that my marmalade has been awarded this prize.
"It's a really traditional marmalade with a nice flavour. Things like this really help to grow the business."
Mr Dentith launched the business at his home in 2008 after quitting his job as a head chef. Initially he intented was to produce his signature chutneys and pickles which always went down a treat on his restaurant menus. But demand grew and soon Mr Dentith started producing marmalades, preserves, curds and mustards.
The firm, which has two full-time staff and three part-timers, also has plans to expand further into sauces and dressings.
Today Mikes Homemade makes about 100,000 products a year, including 30,000 jars of marmalade. The products are available in about 200 farm shops across the country, from London to Pembrokeshire.
Mr Dentith said: "It was a big change of direction and a bit of a gamble. But the business has grown and grown year on year. I have converted a garage into a preparatory kitchen and some things are cooked in what was the utility room.
"This is just the beginning for us. We hope to keep on expanding."
Mr Dentith said the business had been approached by large supermarket chains but had rejected their advances as it would mean leaving the farm shops which are proving profitable.
