Judged by 144 of the most discerning palates, belonging to food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs, buyers, retailers and producers, as well as food writers and journalists, Great Taste is the most coveted of all food and drink awards. As well as a badge of honour, the unmistakeable black and gold Great Taste label is a signpost to an outstanding product, which has been discovered through hours and hours of blind tasting.

Out of the 12,777 products sent in from 106 different countries, Love from Lila (Surrey) was awarded a 1-star Great Taste award for its signature wedding cake flavour – vanilla with blackcurrant buttercream. One of only 14 award winning flavours in its category, all achieving a coveted 1-star award, judges dubbed it a cake that delivers fantastic flavour. As described by one of the judges:

A really beautifully crafted cake, even layered, perfectly finished in its 'naked cake' style. The crumb proved moist and flavourful, the blackcurrant filling resonantly fruity, the sweetness perfectly pitched. We liked the restrained sweetness, everything in beautiful balance. This has been made with real skill and care, with concern for quality, and is truly delightful in its relative simplicity.

Lara Kenny - SWPS alumna and director of Love from Lila explains:

I decided to enter the Great Taste awards for the first time this year to demonstrate my commitment to quality. Aside from looking flawless, I believe wedding cakes should be delicious and sustainable. This award speaks volumes for the flavour of my cakes, and how carefully selected sustainable ingredients enhance that. I’m so excited to start 2021, after a really heartbreaking year for weddings, with such a well-respected award. It’s amazing to be able to call myself award winning after five years in business, and for my couples to be able to eat a Great Taste award winning cake at their wedding!

Pricing: a luxury, eco-friendly wedding cake for 30 people starts from £175, and a typical 3 tier wedding cake to serve 110 people costs around £500.
 
Lara Kenny left SWPS in 2009 to pursue a BSc in Business and Management with German at Aberystwyth University. Having successfully achieved a first class undergraduate degree, she went on to graduate with distinction from Aston University with an MSc in Human Resource Management and Business. She now has a split career, running a data led Human Resource Consultancy called Pink Jelly People Consultancy and a luxury, sustainable, wedding cake studio called Love from Lila. She lives on the Surrey/Hampshire border with her fiancé as they plan their ‘postponed to 2021’ wedding.
 
She went on to add:

Sustainability has been at the heart of what I do for some time now. Each and every ingredient I use has been intentionally chosen so that I can create luxury wedding cakes which have the smallest impact possible on the people, animals and environment around us. This has enabled me to work with many fantastic suppliers, all of whom I’d like to thank for being part of my sustainable journey and helping me to create award winning wedding cakes.

www.lovefromlila.co.uk/