We won Gold at The Great British Food Awards!

We are so proud to share the news that we won GOLD at The Great British Food Awards for our Yiayia Gin.

This was a special collaboration between Zoe of Shed One Distillery and Irini Tzotzorglou, a Masterchef Champion. Plus, both Lindsay and Thea of Shed One Distillery assisted with the mixing and tastings. As well creating it, Zoe distilled it and designed the label, making it a fully women-led project.

Head Judge for this category was Adam Handling, chef and owner of Michelin starred Frog by Adam Handling.

Adam Handling was the Head Judge for this category for The Great British Food Awards, and we are delighted that his comments reflected what we were aiming to create. He said, “Nose: floral, delicate, citrus, sweet, cucumber; Palate: delicate, fragrant, soft peppery note, floral clean, umami and savoury.
Excellent gin with elegance and complexity, foraged and sourced all in the UK (except the juniper) with an innovative concept of Mediterranean flavours.  A super artisanal and female-led project.”

To be recognized in such a prestigious award by a Michelin starred Chef and Great British Menu Champion of Champions is such an honour.

The botanicals that make up our Yiayia Gin are: Vine Leaves, Fig Leaves, Olive Leaves, Mushroom, Seaweed, Rose Pelagonium, Lemon Leaves, Oregano, Juniper

And why the name?

As well as being inspired by Irini’s birthplace Heraklion, Crete, we wanted to pay respect to the strong, caring women in our lives. Yiayia is Greek for Grandmother and Irini wanted to honour her grandmothers Yiayia Irini and Yiayia Stavroula.

Paul Jackson, Editor & Founder of The Gin Guide.

Paul Jackson, of The Gin Guide, kindly samples Yiayia when we created it and was impressed. He said, "An enticing welcome from the green, leafy and citrussy aroma with a hint of rose. The dry and savoury notes are very neatly balanced with the hints of floral sweetness, before a lovely lingering dry finish where the oregano really comes through. It all makes for a charming and light G&T that you really can imagine sipping on a terrace in Crete!"

Serving Suggestion:
Classic serve 1:3 with straight tonic water and a couple of ice cubes. Garnish with a slice of fig.
Or serve at room temperature as an aperitif.

**Our Martini Gin made The Great British Food Awards shortlist, but didn’t quite make the awards. However, they did really like that one, too!