Shed One Distillery's gin wins Great British Food award

Ulverston-based Shed One Distillery’s Yiayia Gin was named the best in its category at the Great British Food Awards 2024.

The gin, created in partnership with Greek chef and 2019 Masterchef winner Irini Tzortzoglou, was selected as the winner in the gin category.

The awards recognise the best artisanal produce in the UK’s food and drink industry.

The gin category was judged by industry expert and Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, Adam Handling.

He said Yiayia Gin was "an excellent gin with elegance and complexity, foraged and sourced all in the UK with an innovative concept of Mediterranean flavours.

"A super artisanal and female-led project."

Yiayia Gin was created in partnership with Greek chef and 2019 Masterchef winner Irini Tzortzoglou (Image: Supplied)

The judgement demonstrated that the gin has a 'delicious flavour' and provides an 'optimum drinking experience and one-of-a-kind enjoyment.'

The awards, launched in 2014, provide a promotional platform for artisanal brands and makers.

They have a judging panel of food industry icons, critics, and Michelin-starred chefs.

Each year, the Great British Food Awards champion the standout producers from across the UK.

Shed One Distillery owner and co-founder, Zoe Arnold-Bennett, said: "We’re beyond thrilled for Yiayia Gin to be recognised as the best of the best by the Great British Food Awards and by a chef and restaurateur of Adam Handling’s stature.

"We’re blown away by his comments and his appreciation of the concept, genuine love, and enthusiasm that went into creating this special gin, which evokes the flavours and aromas of Irini’s homeland of Crete."

Yiayia's Fig and Olive twist cocktail (Image: Supplied)

Yiayia, which translates as ‘grandmother’, was inspired, created, distilled, and bottled by women.

It features vine, fig, olive, and lemon leaves, mushroom, seaweed, rose pelargonium, and oregano alongside classic juniper.

Ms Tzortzoglou said: "What started as a chance conversation with Zoe when I was on a gin-making experience at Shed One, ended with me spending months working with the women of the distillery to produce a gin we all loved.

"Named in tribute to my grandmothers, I am thrilled with the thought that the spirits of Yiayia Irini and Yiayia Stavroula are rejoicing in pride and joy, witnessing this wonderful Great British Food Awards accolade from beyond.

"You can’t go wrong if you create with love and pure intentions, and I’m delighted and humbled that Yiayia Gin continues to be proof of that and has come so far."

Having been awarded the highest Gold accolade, Shed One’s Yiayia Gin will be promoted across Great British Food’s print, online, and social channels in celebration of its achievement.