Cumbrian Food Business Represents the North West on the International Stage

Cumbrian artisan condiment makers Hawkshead Relish recently had the opportunity to represent the North West and raise awareness of the region’s food and drink offer on the international stage.

The Lake District based company provided a number of multi-award-winning products from their range, including Westmorland Chutney, Raspberry and Vanilla Jam, Mango Chutney, Black Garlic Ketchup, the recipient of a World Innovation award, and a copy of Maria’s Embellish With Relish Cookbook.

The artisan made products were included in a specially curated food and drink hamper presented to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison by his UK counterpart Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the trade deal talks held at 10 Downing Street.

The hamper was set up as part of the Great British Food Programme, an initiative designed to support UK food and drink producers and to engage with international buyers across the world with events, workshops, and an online directory.

Since November 2019, The Great British Food Programme has successfully shipped 68 Great British Food Boxes to a host of trusted buyers around the globe, containing products from 246 food and drink producers across the UK.

The event aimed to showcase well-known, high quality Great British food and drink brands who are set to benefit from a free trade agreement with Australia (of which the broad terms were agreed in principal on Monday 15 June).

Maria Whitehead MBE, Director of Hawkshead Relish, commented: "As Department for International Trade (DIT) export champions for the North West we were thrilled to be asked to contribute to the hamper to be presented to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. As a company are constantly exploring new markets and to have the opportunity to get our award-winning products in front of key international decision makers is hugely important. This is why I would encourage any business looking to enter new markets, or start exporting for the first time, to get in touch with the DIT North West team to find out how exporting could help them reach their full business growth potential."

Bev Mullin, Deputy Head North West, DIT says "Our Export Champions have all displayed excellence in global ambition, and Hawkshead Relish have been a Champion since the start of the initiative, inspiring and helping new and existing exporters with their international journeys. To see them included in the Great British Food hamper presented to the Australian Prime Minister is a testament to their hard work and achievements as a company."

Businesses looking to find out what the free trade agreement with Australia means for UK businesses and how they can take advantage of arising opportunities in this market, are invited to join the Department for International Trade on Tuesday 22^nd June for a webinar on the topic. Interested businesses can find out more and register here.