‘INTENSELY chocolatey’ brownies that melt in the mouth have won a Weymouth baker a ‘best of the best’ crown at a prestigious regional awards do.

A gourmet selection of Gold Award winning Dorset products including bacon, pancetta, soda bread and tea scooped prizes at the finals of the Taste of the West Awards 2012.

Helen Rollinson, founder of Rolly’s Cake Company, claimed the Best of Sweet Bakery accolade. Her gluten free chocolate brownies were described by TV presenter and celebrity judge Tim Maddams as: “Amazing. Just the right amount of gooiness.

Other Dorset winners, who had previously claimed 2012 Gold Awards before going head to head for the ‘best of the best’ titles, included Capreolus Fine Foods of Uphall Farmhouse, Ramp-isham which achieved the Best of Cured Meat title for their Pancetta and Best New Product 2012 for their Bay Cure Bacon.

Meanwhile Walnut, Apricot & Rosemary Soda Bread produced by The Baking Birds, Windsbatch Bakery, of Friar Waddan Road, Upwey, Weymouth won Best of Savoury Bakery, Clipper Teas of Beaminster achieved the Best of Non-Alcoholic Hot Drinks for their Boutique Single Estate Darjeeling Tea Tents and R.J. Balson & Son, of West Allington Bridport claimed the Best of Bacon title.

Showcasing local produce

Established 19 years ago, The Taste of the West awards showcase the best of food and drink produced in the region. All the winners will have the benefit of using the Taste of the West Winners’ logo on packaging and marketing materials. The logo is a recognised sign of quality and provenance both within the trade and with consumers.

The awards are open to everyone in the South West.

For more details visit tasteofthewest.co.uk