THEY are the Winchester catering company who pride themselves on their hand-made food using locally-sourced ingredients.

The Little Kitchen Company were recognised at this year's Winchester Business Excellence Awards, now in its 15th year.

At the glitzy blacktie event at the city's Guildhall, the company won the Small-Medium Enterprise Award, acknowledging the on-going role that this type of business plays in growing and sustaining the economy.

Sponsored by Paris Smith LLP, the category was open to all businesses with a current turnover of up to £15 million and or/75 FTE employees.

The winning business beat competition from the other shortlisted businesses: AR Design, Intergr8 Dance and Shenton Solicitors.

Set up in 2011 by Cait Salanson, The Little Kitchen Company is one of Hampshire’s leading independent caterers.

Their bespoke services are available in Winchester and also the surrounding areas of Southampton, Basingstoke, Bournemouth and Portsmouth.

No stranger to winning awards, in the past the company has received numerous accolades, including 2nd place at the Solent Business Awards 2016, highly commended at The Beautiful South Awards for Excellence 2016-17 and a 2016 winner at the Hampshire Wedding Supplier Awards.

The company specialises in creating hand-made food using the finest, locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients.

It provides bespoke, imaginative menus for a range of customers and events including intimate dinner parties, corporate events, weddings and other special occasions.

The Little Kitchen Company incorporates The Little Kitchen Bistro which opened in May 2015 and is situated in Winchester Golf Academy on Down Farm Lane, Headbourne Worthy.

The Bistro has weekly regular evenings such as its Fish and Chip night every Friday and its monthly Supper Club and offer our Artisan hand-stretched Pizzas, deli counter and sweet treats as well as our wine list and hot drinks every evening.

For those who want all the taste and deliciousness of dining out but without leaving the house, The Little Kitchen Company also provides an innovative ‘dine-at-home’ takeaway service offering some of their most popular dishes.

Cait Salanson said: “I was absolutely delighted to receive the Small-Medium Enterprise Award. Out of the entire Winchester business community, to receive this accolade is a huge achievement for our catering business.

“ It represents our commitment to excellence both in the quality of our product and in the customer service we provide. I would like to thank my amazing and talented team who have made this success possible.”