A MALTON-based business has been recognised as one of the best after being named as a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

The Yorkshire Pasta Company was launched by Kathryn Bumby in May 2020, just after the country went into its first Covid lockdown.

Kathryn and her husband Tom went to Italy the previous year to learn how to make traditional and authentic pasta from artisan Italian families.

She said: “I used my experience of flour from projects at Nestle for KITKAT wafers, Breakaways and Lion Bars.

“One of my previous work titles was ‘wafer platform lead’ so I knew my stuff when it came to flour.”

Kathryn knew she wanted to use UK flour and when she discovered that the traditional wheat used for pasta – durum wheat (semolina flour) – wasn’t grown in the UK due to wrong climates, low yield and no value for farmers, she searched for an alternative. She uses a blend of wheat, which is milled locally.

“I was very methodical in trialling recipes, getting the ratios of flour, water, mixing right over time – all in my garage to begin with. We use the traditional bronze dies that give our pasta the rough surface that absorbs the sauce, so it clings to the pasta and eats so beautifully.

“We dry our pasta gently overnight to allow it to develop its deep wholesome flavour – mass manufactured pasta arrives as flour and leaves the factory two hours later in a plastic bag. We take two days and pack it all in paper, which is 100 per cent recyclable.”

Production is also run on solar power at the factory in West Heslerton, near Malton. The result is an authentic taste with a perfect al dente texture, when cooked perhaps a minute less than the guide on the packet, which is to British tastes, rather than the Italian al dente.”

Their products are vegan and can be found in more than 450 farm shops, delis and independents up and down the UK as well as Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

Kathryn is one of the shortlisted business leaders from across the nation to have been selected out of more than 5,300 entrants – the most the awards has ever had.

Kathryn, who previously working in project management in Nestle’s Confectionery R&D Centre in York, said: “To be recognised for this award is overwhelming.

“We are a small family business, a team of three, we love creating our artisan pasta here in Malton and the knowledge that families up and down the UK are sitting round dinner tables enjoying our pasta together gives me such a special feeling.

“The last two years really have been a whirlwind for us and our British Pasta – this is another very proud moment for us.”

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledges and champions the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements.

The winners will be announced at a Grand Final in London on November 21.