Montys Mustards and Chutneys was presented with the Field to Fork award, sponsored by City College Norwich, at this year's Norfolk Food & Drink Awards 2023.

Montys makes quality handmade mustards and chutneys and currently ranks as the only single estate mustard maker in Europe. 

Based in mid Norfolk and run by the Savage family, Montys is working at reviving the mustard industry of Norfolk and has recently started exporting to Dubai and Saudi Arabia. 

The judges were impressed with the family’s commitment to be the first family in 160 years to have mustard grown in Norfolk for them, adding that they are now exporting the range of Norfolk mustards, which is “helping to highlight the quality of Norfolk food throughout the world”.

“It was also great to see the commitment to use locally-grown ingredients in all the different products in the range, down to growing their own herbs,” they said.

“Winning the Field to Fork Award for our Montys Mustards and Chutneys range is very special to Essence Foods,” said managing director Sarah Savage.

“It has been an exciting year so far, with an awesome team who have been outstanding. 

“The dedication of Essence Foods and the team to supply locally-grown mustard, making it onsite by hand at The Old Dairy Stanfield, has been endorsed and recognised by the judges and is genuinely appreciated.”

Finalist: Barsham Brewery 

North Norfolk’s sea air and unique micro-climate help Barsham Brewery produce some of the best malting barley in the world. Its famous Maris Otter Barley is malted five miles away at Crisp Malt, then blended with pure water from the brewery’s own borehole and hops from around the world.

The judges said Barsham Brewery is an excellent example of how a local brewery should be run, adding that the close working relationship with Crisp Malt enhances the story, with local companies working together to produce “a great Norfolk beer”. 

Finalist: The English Distillery 

The Norfolk location is key to the quality of The English Distillery’s whisky.

Water is drawn by borehole from the Breckland Aquifer, which runs underneath the distillery. The locally-grown barley, some of which comes from the Nelstrop family’s own farms, is malted by Crisp Malt, and the specialist yeast is sourced from Kingston-Upon-Hull.

The judges said the English Distillery is another great Norfolk company that “embraces the true meaning of field to fork in its production process”.

With the ambitious growth plans the company has, we’re sure we will see them featuring in the Norfolk Food and Drink awards in years to come.

To find out more about all the winners, please click here.

For more information on the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards, please visit norfolkfada.co.uk