3:00pm Sunday 10th August 2008
The owners of a popular Rickmansworth bakery are celebrating after another of their products was recognised with a top industry award.
Cinnamon Square, in Church Street, was awarded this week with its second Great Taste Award gold star in as many years – this time for its traditional, hand-made mince pies.
The award scheme, administered by the Guild of Fine Food, is recognised by many in the restaurant industry as the Oscars of the food world.
Judged by a diverse panel of chefs, food critics and journalists, the awards, now in their 15th year, recognise excellence in food.
Of the more than 4,700 entries received, just 1,124 were deemed of a worthy standard.
Founded just three years ago by husband-and-wife team Paul and Tricia Barker, the small bakery and restaurant won the same award last year for its signature Cinnamon Square buns.
Mr Barker, who has been a baker all his working life, explained the secret to a good, award-winning mince pie.
He said: “It’s important to use fresh ingredients. We make everything from scratch from a recipe which is more than 50 years old. Ours are mince pies like they used to be – not like the pack of six you can buy in a box.”
It was in a box, however, that the judging panel received Mr Barker’s entry.
He added: “They won’t come and get it so we had to bake some pies, put them in the post, and hope they get there in one piece.
“We’re delighted that they did and delighted to be recognised by the judges in this way.”
The champion pies will again be on sale in the first two weeks of September.
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