FOOD and drink producers from Suffolk and north Essex have picked up accolades for nearly 80 different products in the Guild of Fine Foods’ 2011 Great Taste Awards.

The guild models its awards on the Michelin star rating system for restaurants, with one-, two- and, for the very best, three-star awards available.

Leading the way with coveted three-star awards were Hill Top Smokehouse from Battisford, near Stowmarket, for its smoked gammon, James White Drinks from Ashbocking, near Ipswich, for its organic beetroot juice drink Beet It, Confektz, from Hawstead, near Bury St Edmunds, for its chocolate honey nut nougat, and Daily Grind Imports from Bradwell-on-Sea, near Maldon, for its Novus Citrus Chamomile tea.

Hill Top’s smoked gammon is among a select group of three-star winners nominated to go forward to the guild’s Golden Fork awards in September, when regional and national winners will be announced.

In addition to their three-star awards, Daily Grind also received a two-star award while Hill Top picked up three one-star awards, James White two and Confektz one.

The most honours for a single producer in the region was a lucky 13 secured by flour producer W H Marriage & Sons from Chelmsford, made up of six two-star and seven one-star awards.

On the drinks side in Suffolk, there was a pair of two-star awards for Aspall Cyder and one for Maynard House Orchards from Bradfield St Clare, near Bury St Edmunds, with Aspall also collecting two one-star awards.

Two-star awards for Suffolk food producers included two for ice cream maker Alder Tree of Needham Market and one each for Pinneys of Orford, Green Gates Smoke House from Lower Layham, the Artisan Smokehouse from Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe, Sotherton Farm Beef & Pies, near Halesworth, the Tomato Chilli Jam Co from Herringswell, near Newmarket, and Suffolk Pantry of Fornham All Saints. Alder Tree, the Artisan Smokehouse and Pinneys also picked up three one-star awards each, and there was also a one-star award for Green Gates.

In Essex, Hadley’s Dairy Products from Colne Engaine, near Colchester, received four two-star and four one-star awards, and Great Garnetts at Barnston, near Great Dunmow, picked one two-star award and one one-star award.

Ten other producers from Suffolk and four from Essex also picked up one or more one-star awards. For details visit www.greattasteawards.co.uk .