Top food producers get extra help

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs chose Three Little Pigs’ Spanish-inspired Yorkshire chorizo, Wold Top Brewery, sausage specialists Heck Food, soup makers Yorkshire Provender and Yorvale Ice Cream to be involved in the initiative.

Justin King, the former Sainsbury’s chief executive, and Dame Fiona Kendrick, chief executive of Nestle UK, will help launch the Food Stars scheme tomorrow to help selected entrepreneurs grow their businesses and get more of their produce on supermarket shelves in the UK and across the world.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “Yorkshire has always been a place where sparky entrepreneurs have created great innovations in food and drink, people with the ambition to grow and take on the world.

“Now is the time to celebrate that success, which is helping to grow our economy - that is why we’ve created Food Stars to recognise the bright innovators of today and support them to become the major players of tomorrow.

“From ice-cream to beer, ready meals to sausages, Yorkshire’s Food Stars truly represent the best of British and demonstrate the creativity and determination in this country. Our Food Stars show if you want to see a vision for Britain’s bright economic future, look no further than the UK’s food and drink industry.”

Charlotte Clarkson, co-founder of Three Little Pigs, based in Beverley, said: “Being one of the Food Stars is great news for us. It comes at a time when we are expanding so we’re looking forward to the package of support that comes with the status. Above all though, it’s an honour to be chosen.”