Family business scoops top prize at prestigious food and drink awards

The UK’s leading chefs and top food critics have awarded a small family run Somerset business for producing some of the country’s finest liqueurs after agreeing it had “the wow factor”.

Friary Liqueurs scooped the highest accolade – three stars – after entering their handcrafted Strawberry Velvet Vodka and Apricot Brandy Liqueur into the prestigious Great Taste Awards.

Judges, including head buyers from Harrods, Fortnum and Masons and Selfridges and Great British Bake Off winner Frances Quinn, handed Friary Liqueurs the top rating after sipping their handmade liqueurs in a blind taste test.

Only 153 out of 10,000 products entered into this year’s hard fought competition bagged the top prize. The company now wait to hear whether they will be put forward for the Golden Fork Award and named one of UK’s top 50 foods for 2014.

Tori Jordan, who runs the business with her dad Ernie Jeffrey, sister Hannah Smith and brother Alex Jeffrey-Langton said, “We’re over the moon – this award represents an enormous amount of hard work and countless hours spent locked in our little mixing room getting the flavours just right. It’s such an honour to be judged by those at the top of their game – having a Masterchef judge and a Michelin Star chef tell you they love what you do is a wonderful feeling.

“We were also delighted to represent our home town of Frome at the event – it’s a town we love, and we’re happy to say it is now home to the finest, tastiest liqueurs in the country.”