SIX food producers from Suffolk and north Essex have received top-raking three gold star ratings in the 2010 Great Taste Awards.

The Cake Shop, Woodbridge, led the way in Suffolk with two three-star awards, for its Triple Chocolate Brownie and Root Cake, with others going to The Artisan Smokehouse, Felixstowe, for its Smoked Fillet of Beef, J & AF Tomkinson, Rattlesden, for Punchards Farm Extra Thick Jersey Cream, and Alder Tree, Needham Market, for its Damson Fruit Cream Ice.

In Essex, three-star awards went to Hadley’s Dairy Products, Colne Engaine, near Colchester, for its Caramel and Pecan Ice Cream, and Thursday Cottage, Tiptree, for its Damson fruit coulis.

The awards, made by the Guild of Fine Food, are the equivalent of the Michelin star rating system for restaurants.