Little Eye Sourdough wins three 'Great Taste' awards 2023

Little Eye Sourdough, based in West Kirby, picked up three highly prized one-star Great Taste awards for its Rye Loaf with linseed and sunflower seeds, Oatcakes with seaweed and malt loaf.

The awards were announced on Monday (July 31) after more than 500 judges took part in blind taste tests to rate the quality of food producers across the country.

More than 14,000 food and drink products from 109 countries were assessed over the course of 89 judging days in London and Dorset, and only 1.8% of them were awarded three stars.

The awards organised by the Guild of Fine Food will judge products made anywhere in the world.

Issy Malt Loaf (Image: Malcolm Williams)

Now in its 30th year, organisers say it is the largest global accreditation scheme for food and drink. 

Running a microbakery from home...

Malcolm Williams, the man behind Little Eye Sourdough, spoke to the Globe about running a microbakery from his home since 2011.

He said: "I do all of the baking and have a bit of help selling from my wife. You can't get a smaller business than mine, which is why it makes it particularly special to win these awards.

"I keep it small and local. I never wanted to own a shop because you tend to end up rushed off your feet."

Malcolm sells his loaves at West Kirby Farmers Market and Claremont Farm.

The judges said Malcolm's Malt Loaf had "generous portions of fruit" embedded in it and a "strong molasses aroma".

The Rye Loaf with linseed and sunflower seeds had a "beautiful crust and an even crumb" while the Oatcakes with seaweed had a "deliciously nutty and creamy" flavour.

Malcolm, 70, added: "I chose these entries because they are a bit out of the ordinary and a bit of fun rather than an off the shelf loaf.

"All of the loaves I enter are my own recipes so I get extra satisfaction because it's something I developed myself."

Malcolm also hosts monthly sourdough courses in West Kirby. 

To find out more about the Great Taste Awards, visit here.