THE Balloon Tree in Gate Helmsley has won three Great Taste awards for its homemade cakes and chutney - putting the farm shop and caf among the best in Britain.

The Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food Retailers, are regarded as the most prestigious food awards in the UK, and food from the venture in Stamford Bridge Road was picked from more than 3,800 entries.

Experts, including chefs, critics, food retailers, writers and buyers judged more than 170 classes regionally and nationally so that all 200 judges could decant and blind-taste every competing food.

The Balloon Tree entered three of its homemade products - two in the cakes category and one chutney.

One of the caf's most popular cakes, the Lemon Drizzle, earned a bronze Great Taste award. But Auntie Wendy's Cold Chocolate Biscuit Cake was awarded a silver.

Also winning a silver was Gran's All Season Chutney, made at the caf kitchen and a best-seller in the shop.

Updated: 09:55 Friday, September 02, 2005