What's New On The Sticky Beak Blog


Croots Farm Shop
Duffield, Derbyshire
01332 843032
View The Full Profile
A Recent Dining In Review


Out For Lunch In The Farmhouse Kitchen At Horsley Lodge Estate
This Review | All Reviews

Sticky Beaks' Hot Wings Award



Like Us On Facebook


Two star gold award for Croots home smoked back bacon


Published On Monday 6 Aug 2012 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles


Derbyshire farm shop Croots has struck gold by winning a two star gold award in the annual Great Taste Awards for its home smoked back bacon.

The awards are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the fine food industry, and it is the fifth Great Taste Award presented to Croots in the past four years.

Judges described the bacon, which is smoked on the premises at Croots Farm Shop, Duffield, as having “wonderful porkiness. The rind and fat were very tasty as well. Just the right amount of salt. Good meaty texture.”

Farm shop owner Steve Croot said: “We are thrilled to have received another Great Taste Award. The awards are judged by chefs, food writers, retailers and other food experts, and are one of the most highly regarded accolades in the speciality food and drink sector.

“We only started smoking our own bacon at the start of this year, so to have it confirmed that we’re doing it to such a high standard is wonderful for our team at Croots Farm Shop.”

Last year Croots, which is based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, scooped two one star gold Great Taste Awards for its traditional pork pie and its lemon oil.  In 2010 one of Croots’ ales, Cow Juice Beer, won a gold star rating in the Great Taste Awards, while the previous year the accolade was given to the farm shop’s Black Pudding Sausage.

This year’s award for the home smoked back bacon is a two star gold award – making it one of the best bacons in the country.

The Great Taste Awards are run by the Guild of Fine Food and received almost 9,000 entries this year. Less than a third received an accolade of one gold star, two gold star or three gold star following the judging process.

“It’s always a fantastic boost for our staff to hear that we’ve won another award, and I’d like to thank them for their role in making Croots Farm Shop an award-winning store,” said Steve Croot.

“This particular bacon, which at £10.49/kg compares very favourably with the £14.20/kg price at Tesco online, is one of many products that we make ourselves at Croots. Since buying the smoker, we’ve developed several new products which seem to be going down well with our customers.”

Croots Farm Shop has won many awards since launching just over four years ago, especially for its home made sausages, pies and meat products. The home smoked back bacon previously received an award during Bacon Connoisseurs’ Week in March.

The farm shop was also recently highly commended in the national Deli of the Year competition.

In 2010 it was a runner-up in the Best UK Independent Food Retailer category of the Observer Food Monthly Awards. The year before, it was named in The Independent’s top 50 best food shops.

Croots opened its doors in June 2008 and has gone from strength to strength. As well as the shop and café, it has a plant nursery and a children’s play area.

It stocks products from around 40 producers within a 50-mile radius of the shop, as well as items from further afield, and employs 21 people.

The store is particularly popular with sausage fans and estimates it has made around 8 million handmade sausages since opening.

Croots Farm Shop and Kitchen is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (café until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (café until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk



Steve Croot with the award winning bacon



Read Some Of Our Recent News Articles

Culinary Favourite Announces New Name, Refurbishment and Relaunch Event
Culinary Favourite Announces New Name, Refurbishment and Relaunch Event Giorgio’s, a much-loved Chesterfield restaurant, is stepping into a new chapter with a refreshed look, rebrand, and relaunch celebration as il Forno. Read The Article

The Countdown to a Culinary Extravaganza at Thoresby Park this September
The Countdown to a Culinary Extravaganza at Thoresby Park this September With less than four weeks to go before Thoresby Park opens its gates for another helping of the Festival of Food and Drink, it's time to grab your tickets Read The Article

Pride Park restaurant named naan-stop busiest matchday spot for Rams fans
Pride Park restaurant named naan-stop busiest matchday spot for Rams fans A Pride Park restaurant has been crowned one of the busiest pre-match hotspots for Derby County fans, thanks to its prime location, outdoor space Read The Article

Longbow Venues Will March 29km Across The Peak District To Raise Thousands For Children's Hospital
Longbow Venues Will March 29km Across The Peak District To Raise Thousands For Children's Hospital On Tuesday 2 September, a dedicated team of 27 staff from Longbow Venues will set off on a 29-kilometre charity walk across Read The Article

Farm-to-Fork Excellence Derbyshire's Walton Lodge Farm Achieves Red Tractor Certification
Farm-to-Fork Excellence Derbyshire's Walton Lodge Farm Achieves Red Tractor Certification Walton Lodge Farm Estate, the 360-acre working farm and historic 18th century family home of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel owner Read The Article

Hart's Kitchen Welcomes a New Chapter in Dining with a Refreshed A La Carte Menu
Hart's Kitchen Welcomes a New Chapter in Dining with a Refreshed A La Carte Menu August 2025 - Hart's Hotel & Kitchen is delighted to introduce its new A la carte menu, crafted to celebrate the vibrant flavours of the season and the bounty Read The Article

Popular fish and chip restaurant Darcy's opens on Sunday - and kids eat free!
Popular fish and chip restaurant Darcy's opens on Sunday - and kids eat free! Derby's newest and largest fish and chip restaurant and takeaway is serving up great news - it's now open on Sundays when kids can eat for free. Read The Article

Sunshine + Sweet Treats = Summer Surge At The Bakewell Tart Shop - Footfall Doubles
Sunshine + Sweet Treats = Summer Surge At The Bakewell Tart Shop - Footfall Doubles Following its grand reopening in early July, The Bakewell Tart Shop has experienced a sharp spike in visitors - with warm, sunny weather Read The Article

Double Shortlisting For Longbow Venues In 2025 Enterprising Women Awards
Double Shortlisting For Longbow Venues In 2025 Enterprising Women Awards Independent Peak District hospitality group Longbow Venues is celebrating a double shortlisting in the prestigious 2025 Enterprising Women Awards, with two Read The Article

Peak Edge Hotel Unveils Immersive Wine Cellar Experience
Peak Edge Hotel Unveils Immersive Wine Cellar Experience The Red Lion Restaurant at Peak Edge Hotel has unveiled a beautifully designed, temperature-controlled wine cellar - a bespoke feature by Sorrells, the luxury wine cellar Read The Article

Read More