Globally-recognised award in first year for Lancashire artisan food producer
A Lancaster-based specialist food producer who founded his business less than a year ago has received an award from one of the world’s most respected judging bodies.
Chris Clothier, who runs The Lakes Infusion Co, received the accolade for his Raspberry Infused Honey from the Great Taste Awards 2026. The awards, run by the Guild of Fine Food, were established over 30 years ago. Judging is through rigorous, independent blind testing: products are scored purely on taste, with no influence from packaging design or branding.
Chris, who was born in Lancaster and spent his early years in Silverdale, won the one-star award for Raspberry Infused Honey, the first product he launched. The one-star award means ‘simply delicious’ – a food that delivers fantastic flavour.
“It’s a huge seal of approval to have one of our products recognised in this way and the award will help our business gain visibility across the North West and beyond,” said Chris, who now lives in the Fairfield area of Lancaster.
Among their comments, the judges praised the honey’s colour and clarity, along with its “true raspberry flavour”. They said: “The taste is quite subtle, not too sweet, and with a resonance of that berry deep in the profile but balanced well and giving a unique flavour.” They also said they could see many uses for the product, adding: “This would make a great drizzle for waffles or ice cream and suggests itself readily as the basis for a warming hot toddy.” They concluded: “Overall, the fruit has been respected, as has the honey and the resulting taste is delicious.”
The product is made with acacia honey and raspberries, comes in a 230g jar and is priced at £7.95.
The Lakes Infusion Co was founded in November 2025. The company also creates and sells other small batch fruit and botanical-infused honeys, balsamic vinegars, olive oils, sugars and finishing salts, all infused with flavours inspired by the Lake District and made with a focus on natural ingredients, patient methods and distinctive but balanced flavours.
Although the company’s success seems swift its origins lie in Chris’s childhood.
“Family days out comprised blackberry picking, gathering sloes for gin and collecting crab apples for jelly. Those traditions of gathering, making and sharing gave me a lasting interest in transforming simple ingredients through time and care,” said Chris.
However, it was some years before he made his dream reality: he spent over 10 years teaching English as a Foreign Language in Spain, Dubai and then Peru, where he met his future husband, Kevin Moreno. The couple stayed in Peru for eight years before returning to the UK.
“On our honeymoon in Croatia in May 2025, Kevin and I discovered raspberry honey and loved it. Back home, we couldn’t find anything similar. I began making and experimenting. Those early trials soon grew into a wider range of infused products,” Chris explained.
Production takes place at his mum Sue’s home in Burneside, near Kendal, with each infusion made and bottled by hand in small batches. Kevin’s creativity, talent for social media and eye for design have also played an important role in developing the brand.
“We decided to enter Great Taste 2026 because friends and family had given us such encouraging feedback. The Raspberry Infused Honey is our best-selling product and we wanted to see what would happen,” Chris said.
He added: “We trade at specialist artisan and community markets, such as the Morecambe Community Markets, as well as county shows. The Royal Lancashire Show has been our strongest performance to date.”
“Lancashire food businesses inspire me, among them Morecambe Bay Chowder Company. They’ve concentrated on one thing, doing it really well and built a distinctive business around it. I also love Kick-Ass Cheese, Chipping, and the range they’ve developed, particularly as a husband-and-wife team.”
“The other market traders I meet have been extremely supportive while customer feedback helps shape new flavours and products. Lancaster’s independent food scene is inspiring too. Places like Merchants 1688, The Quarterhouse and Journey Social are always doing interesting things. I can't wait to see what’s next for Lakes Infusion Co.”
Find The Lakes Infusion Co products at regular markets across Lancashire and Cumbria as well as via their website: www.lakesinfusion.co.uk