A COLCHESTER goat milk ice cream business is the cream of the cream after winning through to the finals of a BBC competition.Warren and Ellie Goff, who make Caprilatte Ice Cream, are finalists in the Best Food Producer category of the BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards 2007.

A COLCHESTER goat milk ice cream business is the cream of the cream after winning through to the finals of a BBC competition.

Warren and Ellie Goff, who make Caprilatte Ice Cream, are finalists in the Best Food Producer category of the BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards 2007.

The couple, who run a successful post office and shop on their goat farm at Abberton, pioneered one of the country's first luxury ice cream made from goats' milk.

They took on the family dairy goat herd in 2000, with the vision of expanding the herd and diversifying into farm dairy production and processing.

They launched their goat milk ice cream in December 2004 and are among three finalists for the Best Food Producer award.

Mr Gogg said he was “very excited” at reaching the finals, after an “excellent response” to their product.

“It has been very exciting, and it has been an excellent, excellent response from the general public and the wholesale buyers. I can't make enough,” he said.

The couple keep around 320 goats, around 86 or which are milking goats.

The accolades, in association with BBC local radio, were created in 2000 to celebrate the people and organisations who produce and promote the best of British food, and aim to find the Best Food Producer, Best Takeaway and Farmer of the Year.

Joining them are the Best Dinner Lady, Best Local Food Retailer, Best National Retail Initiative, the Derek Cooper Special Award and the new Best Farmers' Market. BBC Food Personality of the Year is voted for by listeners.

This year's award winners will be featured on Radio 4's The Food Programme and Farming Today, as well as BBC local radio.

The awards ceremony takes place on November 28 at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

The chair of the independent judging panel Sophie Grigson said: “I think the Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards matter because they really are a chance to honour the work that people are doing to try to make our food better in this country - and heaven knows we need it.

“There's a long way to go, but it's very exciting to see producers, shopkeepers, dinner ladies and campaigners all being celebrated.”