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It was a double celebration for a Herefordshire producer at the recent annual West Midlands Tastiest Fruit Juice awards, organised by Heart of England fine foods (HEFF).

For Ledbury-based Jus Apples scooped both top awards: the Tastiest Apple Juice competition with its single variety Cox’s Orange Pippin juice, and the Tastiest Breakfast Juice Award with its Discovery apple juice.

The competition ran alongside HEFF’s annual Tastiest Sausage Competition, coinciding with National Farmhouse Breakfast Week (20-26 January), with entries from across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire Worcestershire, Birmingham and the Black Country.

Judging took place at the Mailbox in Birmingham, with judges including celebrity chef Sophie Grigson, as well as representatives from University College Birmingham (formerly Birmingham College of Food), local restaurants, National Farmers Union and food critics.

Owned and managed by James and Jane Skittery, Jus grows and processes many different kinds of apple into speciality juices that are sold to shops and also direct to the public.

James Skittery said: “This is a real honour for us, as the variety and quality of fruit juices being produced is enormous. The Breakfast Juice category in particular is tough, because our products were up against juices made from all types of different fruit.”

Jon May of HEFF added: “Congratulations to James and Jane on their win. The quality of juices entered this year was excellent, making the judging process even tougher. However, Jus’s products were clear favourites in both categories, with Sophie Grigson particularly impressed by the Cox Variety Juice.”

*About Heart of England Fine Foods*

Heart of England Fine Foods was formed in 1998 to promote and raise awareness of food and drink within the West Midlands. Through an extensive programme, the organisation helps the region’s food and drink businesses to develop, expand and create profitable and sustainable markets for their products.

HEFF is proud to be the managing body for the West Midlands Food Partnership and continues to focus on government strategies, the move towards healthier eating and increased awareness of environmental issues.