Pictured above: Steve Croot
Derbyshire farm shop Croots is celebrating after being
name-checked in a prestigious national foodie award.
The farm shop near Duffield was runner-up in the Best UK
Independent Food Retailer 2010 category of the Observer Food
Monthly Awards.
Readers of the national newspaper's monthly food supplement
voted for their favourite independent food retailer - and Croots
was one of just nine shops in the UK to be named a runner-up.
It was one of only two in the Midlands to be given the accolade.
A further five online independent retailers were also named as
runners up.
"To be effectively named as one of the top ten independent food
shops in the UK is an absolutely amazing tribute to the staff and
everyone at Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen," said owner Steve
Croot, who opened the store at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road,
in June 2008.
"We are thrilled that our customers rate us so highly that they
are willing to go to the effort of voting for us in such a
prestigious award. We can't thank them enough for this. It's a true
honour and we are absolutely chuffed to bits to get it. I'd like to
thank the hard-working staff at Croots for all their efforts in
helping to make the shop what it is today."
The accolade in the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2010 is the
latest to be presented to Croots Farm Shop. It has previously been
a finalist in the Derbyshire Business Awards 2010 in the Most
Promising New Business Category and in the FARMA (National Farmers'
Retail & Markets Association) for Best New Farm Shop Award.
Last November it was also named in The Independent's top 50 best
food shops, when one of the judges said: "Croots is more than a
shop, it's a destination. It's the perfect place to buy everything
you need for a special dinner and literally cook from plot to
plate."
Recently it won a One Star Gold Great Taste Award from the Guild
of Fine Food for its Cow Juice ale, having scooped a Gold Star
Great Taste Award for its Black Pudding Sausage in 2009.
The description of Croots Farm Shop in the Observer Food Monthly
Awards stated: "Fabulous meat and vegetables, much of which is
grown or reared by the owners. Also lovely local Stilton and
pates."
The farm shop is renowned for its home-made sausages and other
fresh meat, and has recently extended its fresh meat counter to
cater for demand. Croots also features a popular deli counter
selling dozens of different cheeses.
It is a passionate supporter of local producers and sells items
from 40 suppliers within a 50-mile radius of the shop.