Raymond Blanc (judge), me (with award) and Radio 4's Sheila Dillon
Over the course of Westcombe Dairy's hundred-year history, we've picked up quite a few awards for our cheeses. All of these have been greatly appreciated and none has been taken lightly. Being recognised for our hard work and integrity in farming and cheesemaking is always hugely rewarding and humbling.
However, being nominated, and then going on to win, the BBC Food & Farming Awad 2012 for Best Food Producer (alongside Pump Street Bakery) was the crowing glory of all our recognition so far.
The work the BBC and their judges put into researching and finding worthy candidates, and then the time they spend deliberating over the nominees and who best represents the nation's food producers/growers in each category, is second to none.
For our little dairy farm to go on and win Best Food Producer (alongside the excellent Pump Street Bakery in Suffolk) was an extraordinary achievement and a massive honour.
So a big thank you to everyone involved, from our staff who help us keep the standards here at Westcombe so high, to the judges and organisers of the awards and to all the people who voted for us. Thanks! Tom.