Hampshire's Leading Ladies

07 March 2018 Hampshire's Leading Ladies

To mark International Women's Day and Mother's Day, we pay tribute to the dynamic women leading the way in Hampshire's food, drink and craft businesses. Across the county a determined and talented band of women are forging careers in sectors including farming, wine making, baking and cheesemaking. Introducing just a handful of these leading ladies.

EMMA RICE: DIRECTOR AND WINEMAKER AT HATTINGLEY VALLEY

There is no doubt that Hampshire is growing in notoriety as a wine-making region and Emma Rice certainly has a seat reserved at the helm.

Director and wine maker at Hattingley Valley Wines, Emma has been involved in creating their range of wines for almost ten years.

Discover more about Hattingley Valley Wine.

STACEY HEDGES: FOUNDER OF HAMPSHIRE CHEESES

Stacey began cheesemaking in her kitchen. She now owns the multi-awardwinning, Hampshire Cheeses, where she produces Tunworth and Winslade.

Tunworth has a loyal following including Jamie Oliver, Nigel Slater and Raymond Blanc. The latter described Tunworth as "The best camembert in the world!"

Discover more about Hampshire Cheeses.

SUE ambrose: FARMer

Sue is one half of the Ambrose Sausage husband and wife team. Rearing pigs for their award-winning pork products Sue leads the farming whilst her husband, Phil, takes charge in the butchery.

To increase profits, Ambrose have diversified into charcuterie making which has proved a successful and award-winning move for them.

Discover more about Ambrose.

ROMILLA ARBER: Founder of Honesty group

Honesty was set up by former solicitor, Romilla Arber, to bring honest food to the table. With a focus on transparency Honesty Group now encompasses a bakery, five cafes, a pub with rooms and a cookery school.

Determined to engage younger generations in good, all profits from Romilla's cookery book sales are invested in food education projects across the UK.

Discover more about Honesty.

HAYLEY ELSTON: FOUNDER OF CATCH

New Forest Show 2017 © The Electric Eye Photography 26.jpg Catch was set up by Hayley to create delicious fish based products whilst supporting the local fishing industry and helping to preserve fish stocks.

The company recently expanded to new premises to cope with growing demand.

Discover more about Catch.

MELISSA O'DWYEr: BAKER and FOUnDER OF LITTLE BEE BAKERY

Melissa smlall.jpg Melissa begun baking biscuits and cakes to order in her kitchen. Five years on and she employs a team of staff, has relocated to larger premises and now supplies retailers including John Lewis and The Southern Co-op.

Leaving her full-time office job to start up Little Bee Bakery was a gamble but her brave decision and hard work has paid off.

Discover more about Little Bee Bakery.

KERRY WITT: CHOCOLATIER and FOUNDER OF CHOCOLATE BY MISS WITT

Miss witt.jpg Kerry is trained as a pastry chef and it is these skills that led her to develop her own unique method of chocolate making. Using Hampshire's Hildon Water, Kerry has developed a water-based ganache.

Kerry has been recognised at the Great Taste Awards and Academy of Chocolate Awards.

Discover more about Chocolate by Miss Witt.

CHARLOTTE BROWN: Jam and CHUTNEY MAKER

At a time in life when some might be thinking of slowing down, Charlotte Brown revved up. Usually found at her Aga concocting award-winning preserves and chutneys.

Selling to retail and trade, Charlotte has become famous for her award-winning piccallilli. All her products are made from things she or her friends have grown, a true preserver of flavour.

Discover more about Charlotte Brown Preserves.

TRACY BURNS: Baker and founder of Cupcakes mmm Cookies

Gordington Mill © The Electric Eye Photography 5.jpg Tracy has worked hard to build up her successful baking business. She has recently invested in new premises and equipment and snazzy new logo.

Her creative cupcakes are popular at events and markets across the county.

Discover more about Cupcakes mmm Cookies.