The 2025 Quality Food Awards marked a significant moment for School Yard Kitchen, with the business receiving five awards, including the title of Small Producer of the Year. The results highlight growing recognition for thoughtful sourcing, well-balanced flavours, and the steady development of products shaped by both Ghanaian ingredients and Scottish craft.
Small Producer of the Year
The Small Producer award often shines a light on businesses demonstrating consistent quality and a clear sense of purpose. This year, School Yard Kitchen took the top spot. The judges noted the strong product range, the transparent connection to cocoa-growing communities in Ghana, and the commitment to building long-term, responsible supply relationships.
Dark Chocolate Chilli Pretzels — Gold
A standout favourite of the panel, the Dark Chocolate Chilli Pretzels received a Gold award in the all-year-round category. The combination of:
- dark chocolate made in Scotland from beans grown in Ghana,
- a measured lift of chilli heat, and
- a crisp, salted pretzel texture
earned high marks for balance and originality. Several judges highlighted the “layered flavour experience” as a particular strength.
Lemongrass Chilli Sauce — Gold
Among the condiments, the Lemongrass Chilli Sauce achieved Gold for its fresh, bright aromatics and steady, well-defined heat. Judges described it as “refreshing, balanced, and versatile”, making it suitable for both everyday use and more specialised cooking.
Hot Honey — Gold
The Hot Honey also secured Gold, recognised for its rounded warmth and its integration of Ghanaian chillies into Scottish honey. The result is a smooth, gradual heat that complements rather than overwhelms. The judging panel praised its clarity of flavour and adaptability across both sweet and savoury dishes.
Dark Chocolate with Pretzel & Chilli — Bronze
The Dark Chocolate with Pretzel & Chilli bar offers a more chocolate-forward interpretation of the same flavour profile. It received a Bronze award, with praise for its clean cocoa character and controlled use of spice. The texture — combining smooth chocolate with the crunch of pretzel pieces — was also noted as a point of interest.
The Awards Event
The awards ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 at the Hilton Bankside, London, bringing together leading producers, retailers, and industry experts from across the UK. The evening celebrated excellence across multiple categories, from confectionery and condiments to full-range retailers. Winners were recognised in front of peers and industry specialists, with judges providing detailed feedback on each entry — a valuable insight for future product development.
A Notable Year
The 2025 results highlight a productive year for School Yard Kitchen and reaffirm the value of pairing Ghanaian-grown ingredients with Scottish small-batch production. The awards also reflect the broader aim of supporting education initiatives and contributing to long-term efforts to reduce child labour within cocoa-growing communities — an underlying purpose that continues alongside flavour development.
Five awards across multiple categories demonstrate that thoughtful sourcing, consistent craft, and distinctive taste can create products with genuine impact and broad appeal.
