ILKLEY-based family-run Love Brownies has scooped a national award and will be given the chance to supply its brownies to the Co-op.

The business has won the Small Producer of the Year Award for its Hand Made Gluten Free Double Chocolate Brownies in the Quality Food Awards’ ambient category.

The recognition was received at an awards ceremony in London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in November, with the awards developed in partnership with the Co-op, which is committed to championing smaller-scale producers and local sourcing.

The judges said they were impressed by the “passion, drive and love” that went into the business.

Finalists are given an opportunity to work with the Co-op to supply the community retailer as part of its commitment to celebrating and supporting local suppliers.

Simon Dryell, head of local sourcing for the Co-op, said: “Great British food is world renowned and the standard of entries in the search for the Small Producer of the Year has once again been truly amazing. It has been a real pleasure to explore the diversity and creativity of produce and we would like to congratulate Love Brownies on gaining this award and recognition. We know that food provenance, quality and trust are key for our customers, and we are proud to give local producers pride of place in our stores. It’s exciting to collaborate with smaller producers with their innovation, quality, pride, passion and traditions. The Co-op is dedicated to championing and showcasing local producers, breaking down the traditional barriers that can often challenge smaller businesses - as a community retailer, we are keen to work with the finalists and offer support and guidance that could help to see their product on the shelves of their local Co-op.”

Chantal Teal, co-owner and Head Baker at Love Brownies said; “Winning the award was an amazing achievement, and then to be asked to pitch our product Love Brownies to the Co-op has brought with it a new element to our business.

We are very excited to be supplying the Co-op with a selection of our award-winning Double Chocolate Brownies, and can’t wait to see the reaction of the Co-op customers who try a Love Brownie for the first time.”

Love Brownies is co-owned by husband and wife team Lee and Chantal Teal, the bakery has been in business for just over 12-months and the online retail business of selling brownies has been running for nine years. Both sectors of Love Brownies are run from Ilkley. For more info log on to www.lovebrownies.co.uk