Sophie’s Baked Delights based in Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire, has had her M’Hencha cake named as one of the Top 50 Foods within the UK. The list was drawn up as part of the Guild of Fine Food’s annual Great Taste accreditation scheme, which saw 8,807 food and drink products blind-tasted and whittled down over the course of 45 days by 350 experts.
Always searching for something different and unusual to tease her clients taste buds Sophie came across The M’hencha. This is a Moroccan Berber cake made up of coiled pastry made from an almond sugar paste flavoured with rosewater, orange and lemon zest all wrapped up in a Mediterranean brick pastry, topped with pistachios.
The top 50 food and drink products were chosen from the 123 entries that had gained a coveted 3-star gold and each one has now been nominated for a Golden Fork Award, the highest accolade in fine food and drink which will be announced at the Awards’ dinner at London’s Royal Garden Hotel this September.
Judges this year included Masterchef winner and restaurateur Mat Follas, restaurant critic and Masterchef judge Charles Campion, food writers Lucas Hollweg and Xanthe Clay and over 300 food buyers from leading food halls, delicatessens and farm shops, including Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason. Guild of Fine Food Chairman Bob Farrand said that each of the food and drink products entered into Great Taste undergoes the most rigorous scrutiny.
“To achieve a 3-star grading involves at least 25 experts unanimously agreeing that the product tastes divine,” he said. “But to be included in the Top 50 Foods in Britain meant each one had to satisfy the discerning palates of a further 25 dedicated foodies. These products all deliver the most extraordinary taste.”
Sophie Browne, said: “I am utterly thrilled with this award for M’Hencha. Great Taste recognise the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into creating exceptional food and drink. The M’Hencha with its utterly exotic flavours and enchanting beautiful coils has been an absolute triumph with my discerning local foodie clients looking for something delicious and different. I am delighted that the Great Taste Award judges feel the same!”
For details of how to purchase M’Hencha, please visit www.sophiesbakeddelights.co.uk