From beautiful bakes to sensational seafood, Gloucestershire is brimming with artisans who know more than a thing or two about making delicious produce.
Although we had a tough time narrowing it down, SoGlos’s greedy journalists have handpicked 16 of the county’s finest artisan food producers to whet your appetite…
Wholly Gelato
SGGLA Food / Drink Producer of the Year 2021, Wholly Gelato, has a cult following in Gloucestershire – and for good reason! Its rich, creamy gelato is made using milk from its very own herd of cows, who you can meet on its farm just outside Gloucester, and comes in a variety of flavours like milk chocolate orange, biscoff and peanut butter, that change every day. It also has a popular milk vending machine with reusable glass bottles, for regulars who can’t get enough of its delicious fresh milk.
Cotswold Gold
Grown, pressed and bottled on its Broadway farm, Cotswold Gold rapeseed oil is perfect for whipping up delicious dishes in the kitchen, as well as dipping bread and dressing salads. A storecupboard staple, it’s also available infused with a variety of natural flavours, from smoked garlic to lemon.
Hetty’s Kitchen
Hetty’s famous, Insta-worthy brownies really do taste as delicious as they look, so it's no surprise the business was crowned SGGLA Food/Drink Producer of the Year in 2022. Made by hand from its dedicated brownie bakery in Gloucester, the Hetty's Kitchen team bake in small batches, using seasonal ingredients from local suppliers. Grab a lucky dip box if you can’t decide on just one flavour.
Tubby Tom’s
Another wonderful Gloucester foodie success story, Tubby Tom’s handmade barbecue sauces, seasonings and rubs are now sold in more than 85 outlets, including Harvey Nichols — and are even exported to Latvia, France and the Netherlands. Watch out for the Ultra Hot Reaper and sauce!
Severn & Wye Smokery
Specialising in smoked wild salmon, this Gloucestershire family business is known around the world. Visit The Barn, Severn & Wye’s two-storey foodie destination in Westbury-on-Severn, to pick up some home-smoked fishy delicacies.
SALT Bakehouse
Family-run SALT Bakehouse in Stroud produces award-winning bread and incredible pastries, from staple sourdoughs, ‘Stroud stick’ baguettes and focaccia, to seasonal specials and bakes made with locally foraged ingredients. Supplying pubs, restaurants and cafés across Gloucestershire and beyond, SALT also has its own kiosk in Stroud and a travelling white van stuffed with goodies that regularly pops up at locations across the county.
Winstones Ice Cream
Winstones Ice Cream has been producing ice cream and sorbets for almost 100 years. There are around 30 flavours to try, sold at supermarkets and restaurants across Gloucestershire, as well as available for home delivery — with a visit to its parlour, on the beautiful Rodborough Common, near Stroud, making for a particular treat.
The Cotswold Curer
The Cotswold Curer in Cirencester has been producing award-winning charcuterie using locally sourced free-range meats since 2013. Discerning carnivores can’t get enough of its incredible chorizo and salami — with wild boar, black truffle and sloe gin just a few of the varieties.
Ethical Addictions
Ethical Addictions is an artisan coffee supply company, with a coffee roastery in Gloucester city centre which works directly with small producers in Africa and South America. Its quality, speciality coffee is available at cafés and restaurants around Gloucestershire, as well as online.
Godsells Cheese
Godsells creates handmade artisan cheese at its Leonard Stanley farm, using milk from its own herd of cows. The cheesemaker produces Double and Single Gloucester varieties, as well as smoked and flavoured cheeses, which are sold at local farmers markets and even in Harrods!
Truffle Hunter
If you’re looking for a little luxury, Truffle Hunter creates exquisite truffle oils from its base in South Cerney. Used in some of the UK’s top restaurants and available to buy online, the Gloucestershire producer also makes preserved truffles, as well as a range of condiments and truffle-infused dairy products, including butter and cheese.
Tewkesbury Mustard Company
A food product that was even featured in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Tewkesbury Mustard Company is the only true producer of Tewkesbury Mustard in Tewkesbury – continuing a tradition that dates back to the 16th century. Its product range includes a variety of flavoured pots of mustard, pickled mustard seeds and even mustard balls.
Wolfys Porridge
Launched in Stroud in 2013, Wolfys began making porridge when it was searching for a hot, filling and tasty snack to be served at a festival. Now sold in major supermarkets and online, each pot of Wolfys porridge has another little pot hidden under the lid, filled with jam, marmalade or honey, making it a uniquely tasty treat.
Gloucester Sausage Company
You’d probably guess it from its name, but the Gloucester Sausage Co makes brilliant bangers. Based at the Knightsbridge Business Centre, near Cheltenham, stop by to buy all manner of sausages, from its famous Gloucester original and chipolatas to Spanish-style chorizo and bratwurst.
Rave Coffee
A favourite choice of Gloucestershire coffee aficionados, Rave Coffee is an independent roaster based in Cirencester that ships its hand-roasted single origin and blended beans all over the country. There’s even a monthly subscription delivery service coffee fans can sign up for.
Kitchen Garden
Established in 1989, Kitchen Garden’s jams, marmalades and chutneys continue to be produced by hand in Stroud. Within its extensive range, some of its 100 award-winners include the delicious-sounding pear and ginger jam; fig and plum relish; Seville marmalade; tomato and apple chutney; and raspberry vinegar, as just a few examples.
