British champions get a right royal reward

The fifteen winners of the Taste of Britain Awards, sponsored by Sainsbury’s and the Telegraph in conjunction with FFB, IGD and Defra, were honoured at a presentation at Highgrove, residence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, on Wednesday 10 October. Guests at the award were treated to a sumptuous lunch featuring many of the winning products as they celebrated their status as ambassadors of British food and drink.

The judges of the Awards had the daunting task of selecting Gold, Silver and Bronze winners from a shortlist of ten products in each of the five categories of Seasonal, Organic, Drink, Regional and Best UK Food. Lady (Sylvia) Jay, Chair of Food from Britain, Moyra McMillan, the Daily Telegraph’s ‘In a Stew’ columnist, Judith Batchelar, Brand Manager at Sainsbury’s, David Jones of Defra and Joanne Denney-Finch OBE, Chief Executive of IGD, faced some tough choices narrowing down the entries.

Gold

Seasonal: Yorkshire Game Young Grouse - Subtly gamey with a hint of the heather in which they live and graze, the dark lean meat of Yorkshire Game’s oven ready Young Grouse had the judges flocking for more.
Organic: Higher Fingle Farm Organic dry plucked and hung duck
The ducks at Higher Fingle Farm live to the ripe old age of 10-14 weeks (factory farmed ducks seldom manage seven) and are dry plucked and hung for four days. All this adds up to a crisper duck with a wonderful depth of flavour.
Drink: Sloe Motion Sloe Gin
Sloe Motion’s Sloe Gin began as a sideline from the hedges of Jonathan Curtoy’s North Yorkshire farm, and is now a full-time business with seven staff and a product that tastes sublime.
Regional: Arbroath Smokies
Smoked over a hardwood fire in half a Scotch whiskey barrel, the unique taste and traditions of Arbroath Smokies have earned them Protected status under EU law. The Smokies taste unlike anything else, with a delicate flavour and melting texture.
Food: Laverstoke Park Organic Hebridean Lamb
Former 10-times Grand Prix winner Jody Scheckter believes that his lambs are the best because of their slow, steady growth and biodiverse diet. The Taste of Britain judges certainly thought so, awarding the lamb the Gold award for Best British Food.

Silver

Seasonal: MBMG Anya Potatoes
Organic: Riverford Organic Vegetable Box
Drink: Shepherd Neame 1698
Regional: Rhug Estate Welsh carvery cut salt marsh Leg of Lamb
Food: Farringtons Mellow Yellow Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil
Food: Doddington Dairy Heather Honey Ice Cream

Bronze

Seasonal: Wilkin & Sons Little Scarlett Strawberry Jam
Organic: Churchtown Farm Organic Rib Eye Steak
Drink: Dutchy Originals Organic Ale
Regional: Maldon Sea Salt

11 October 2007