Bidlea family dairy scoops gold at international competition

Bidlea Dairy bowled over judges at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards 2023 with their vanilla ice cream.

The Brown family, who run the dairy at Orchard Farm in Tremlow, were up against top producers from all over the world.

Adam Brown, 35, said: “We were overwhelmed.

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“We know our best seller is vanilla.

“The judges said it was rich, creamy, great tasting and delicious.

“It is great to receive such wonderful feedback from independent experts.

“It is peace of mind and lovely to be rewarded for all our hard work.”

Bidlea Dairy's ice cream is made from top quality milk produced by their 300-strong Holstein Friesian dairy herd (Image: Bidlea Dairy)

Adam and wife Becky, 31, only came up with the idea of making ice cream when their business was struggling to cope with a drop in demand during lockdown.

Sales of fresh cream plummeted as pubs, cafes and restaurants closed.

Becky said: “We dreamt of making our own ice cream and now we are winning awards for it.”

Bidlea Dairy won four gold awards at the international competition in 2021.

Four flavours, honeycomb, rum and raisin, vanilla and raspberry ripple, won a gold medal.

The secret of their success, they believe, is the rich cream and top quality milk produced by their 300-strong Holstein Friesian dairy herd.

All the ice cream is produced from the rich cream and top quality milk produced by their 300-strong Holstein Friesian dairy herd (Image: Bidlea Dairy)

The couple were proud to receive their latest gold medal from judges at Bingley Hall in Staffordshire.

Adam said: “We were up against companies that are much bigger than us and have been doing it a lot longer.

“Our ice cream is made from all our own milk.

“Our cows produce free range milk with a high butter fat which makes a big difference to the cream.

“The milk is pumped through an overhead pipeline direct from the milking parlour into the pasteuriser.

“It doesn’t come into contact with any humans. There are no milk tankers.

“Everything is local, fresh and 100 per cent traceable. People love to know where products have come from.

“We also cut down on sugar because we increase the amount of cream, which increases the sweetness.

“We are just blessed with a good product.”

The couple rotate 24 varieties of ice cream and introduce a special every fortnight.

Adam's nan Betty Hague with some of the 24 ice creams at Bidlea Dairy (Image: Bidlea Dairy)

Apple and blueberry pie, like a crumby biscuit, is this week’s new flavour.

The couple work with Adam’s brother Ryan and his wife Becky, sister Melanie, parents Ray and Jill, Becky’s mum Angela Williams and other members of the family and friends.

Adam and Becky Brown and their family (Image: Bidlea Dairy)

Bidlea Dairy has expanded its farm shop to meet growing demand and sells a selection of 24 ice creams, milk, butter, cheese and dairy products.

The family also runs a café offering a range of homemade snacks and refreshments.

A 24-hour ice cream vending machine is being installed next week so customers will be able to buy their award-winning tubs around the clock.

The farm already has 24-hour vending machines for milk and various other dairy products.