A Kent niche food producer has scooped an award for its newest brand - even before it's been launched.

Bennett Opie, based in Sittingbourne and a family-owned business since 1880, unveils the Garden of England range of products in September, featuring pickles, compotes, condiments, sauces, jellies, preserves and chutneys.

Its Garden of England English Pickled Shallots in Sherry Vinegar has already gained a Gold 2 Star award at the Great Taste Awards, the world’s largest food awards scheme.

“We are delighted that the Garden of England range has been recognised with an award before it has been officially launched,” said Paul Mendel, brand manager. “It is a phenomenal achievement as there were almost 10,000 entries to the Great Taste Awards.”

All products in the Great Taste Awards are blind tasted by a panel of industry experts including food writers and food buyers from stores such as Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges.

Mr Mendel added: “Consumers are looking for products that are authentic and have provenance and we are committed to providing this as well as supporting English farmers and growers. The preserves all follow time-honoured recipes and processes and by using seasonal English produce and a traditional style of labelling we are simply going back to basics. It is very much reminiscent of how things used to be.”

The Garden of England products will be sold through farm shops, delicatessens and independent stores. The brand will be officially launched at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair in London Olympia.