Irish foods serve up success with Great Taste awards
Blind-tasting by more than 400 experts resulted in about 25 Irish products being rated three-star in this epicurean equivalent of the Booker Prize. Being included is a huge marketing boost for the successful food companies.
And with nearly 15% of the products which were awarded three stars, there’s a good chance an entrant from Ireland (north and south) could be the Great Taste Supreme Champion for a second year in a row.
Hannan Meats, Moira, Co Down, was last year’s winner, and their record haul of Great Taste awards in recent years has helped to boost their sales to leading hotels and high-end restaurants throughout the UK.
The company again is one of the most successful in the 2013 Great Taste awards, with a very impressive seven three-star winners.
Winning the Supreme Championship is a life-changing result for the successful producer, according to John Farrand of the Guild of Fine Food, which runs the Great Taste awards.
The winner will be named on Monday, September 9.
Every product that has gained a three-star award is being re-judged by the main food buyers from Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Whole Foods Market.
The Burren Smokehouse, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, has three three-star winners. En Place Foods UK Ltd, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, has two.
Another Irish finalist is better known in legal than in food circles. Former Attorney General John Rogers is in with a chance of winning Britain and Ireland’s top food award, with his three-star rated camelina oil from his Newgrange Gold company in Co Meath.
Two Munster cheeses are in the running — Ardrahan and Cashel Blue, with Corleggy of Co Cavan.
There’s also an Irish drink among the three-star finalists — Stonewell dry cider, from the Nohoval Brewing Company Ltd, Kinsale, Co Cork.
