A food business is celebrating winning two awards in its first year.

Wooden Spoon Preserves, of Huthwaite, a husband and wife team — Robert and Lindsey Irving — produce their own range of handmade preserves, including jams, jellies, marmalades, chutneys and curds.

The business started after Lindsey, previously with the NHS for 27 years, and Robert, a former HGV driver for 33 years, took early retirement following the death of Robert’s parents.

The couple wanted to keep working, but were unsure of what direction to take. One day they decided to make a batch of marmalade, because they had never tried it before, and that quickly expanded into more products — jams, chutneys, jellies and curds.

They spent a lot of time researching methods, regulations and hygiene requirements, as well as carrying out product testing, before deciding to start their own business.

They made their first preserves in June last year and 12 months later won a Gold Star in the Great Taste Awards for their Norrie’s Mellow Piccalilli, named after Robert’s father who lost his battle against cancer in 2011.

Three months earlier, the couple scooped a bronze award at the World Original Marmalade Awards for their tangerine and pink grapefruit marmalade with malt whisky and cardamom, out of more than 2,000 entries.
Robert and Lindsey said: “We are proud of our achievements. These awards are the Oscars of the food industry.

“All our dedication and hard work has been worthwhile. Hopefully by winning these awards more people will become aware of us and will want to sample some of our delicious products.”
Wooden Spoon Preserves is continuing to expand and has attended many events, food festivals and shows this year.

Its products are also stocked in farm shops and this Christmas the business is offering luxury gift hampers containing its own products and a selected range of complementary foods.