'Nice touch of luxury' wows judges as Jo scoops top national afternoon tea award

NOTTS GARDEN CENTRE IS THE FIRST WINNER OF NEW PRIZE

- By LYNETTE PINCHESS

A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE garden centre is in the spotlight after winning a national award for its afternoon teas.

Planters Brookfields which serves both sweet and savoury takes on the traditional treat scooped gold at the first Greatest Garden Centre Afternoon Tea competition.

Star baker Jo Chambers wowed the judges with both versions at the Glee Home and Garden Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Judges congratulated the “beautiful presentation” and loved the chocolate-coated strawberries that were “a nice touch of luxury”.

They were also impressed by the size of the cakes and the option for both a sweet and savoury spread.

Jo, who has worked for the garden centre in Mapperley Plains for nearly 20 years, learned the tricks of the trade while working for Birds Bakery’s factory in Derby.

Asked what makes the teas award-winning, she said: “The fact the cakes and scones are homemade and years of experience. We never get any complaints.

“I was pleased to win. I was quite tearful actually. It makes it all worthwhile. It was the first year they'd done the competition but I think they're going to be doing it every year now.

“I do enjoy my job. It’s quite rewarding when you've made something yourself.

“You've got all those ingredients together and you've come out with a nice product. Some jobs, you've got nothing at the end of it.”