YOU’VE heard of the Calendar Girls – well here’s the Colander Girls!

Foodie females who have been making waves in Dorset have banded together to launch the Dorset Food & Drink Calendar 2017 in aid of charity.

All women featured are local food producers and the calendar is a perfect showcase for their wares.

With Dorset brands becoming increasingly popular, the calendar offers the perfect opportunity to learn more about the dynamic women behind the popular brands. Recipes are also included.

The calendar has been put together by Dorset Food & Drink which was set up by the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to support and celebrate local food and producers.

Thirteen firms are represented in the calendar (December 2016-December 2017) including the Dorset Pie Co from Weymouth, Jalopy Pizza of Bridport, Woolsery Cheese Co of Up Sydling, Angel Cake Co of Poundbury, and Purbeck Ice Cream of Wareham.

The idea for the calendar was first discussed at the inaugural Portland’s Fish & Ships event two years’ ago where Dorset Food & Drink member Tracey Collins from Ajar Of thought the brands on display should be shared with the world.

She co-ordinated the project and enlisted the help of various professionals including photographer Lara Jane Thorpe and a designer at Vertiworks. Tracey appears in January in the calendar.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and Dorset children’s hospice Julia’s House were chosen as the charities which should benefit. It is hoped £8,000 can be raised.

Dorset Food & Drink Co-Ordinator Katharine Wright said: “Dorset is increasingly becoming known as a hotspot for amazing local food producers and this calendar is a celebration of the women behind some of these brands.

“Not only are we keen to highlight the women and the amazing Dorset products, we also want to show those at home how to create some of the delicious products with

the on-page recipes.

"We hope to see Dorset recipes cropping up in kitchens all over the country.”

The calendar, priced £5, will be on sale at food events including at the Church Knowle Food Fayre tomorrow, Lyme Regis Food Rocks in September and the Athelhampton Christmas Fair.

It is also available via www.fromdorsetwithlove.co.uk for £7 which includes postage and packing.