A host of Cumbrian food and drink makers have been given the seal of approval for their products from a prestigious industry guild.
The Great Taste Awards are the largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme and this year, 87 products in Cumbria were awarded stars.
This year saw 14,205 entries being submitted, from 110 countries for judging. Over 500 expert judges digested and cogitated their way through the entries and 5,556 products won an award.
Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, all products in the line-up for judging are blind-tasted, before entering a robust, layered judging process. This year, the judging took place over 90 days.
The panel of over 500 judge included the likes of BBC Good Food editor Keith Kendrick, Delicious Magazine editor Karen Barnes, Bake Off contestant and author Chetna Makan, MasterChef Professionals finalist Santosh Shah, food and drink consultant Mallika Basu, restaurateurs including Kavi Thakrar, Dishoom, as well as journalists such as Felicity Cloake from The Guardian and Xanthe Clay from the Daily Telegraph.
Among the standout Cumbrian products collecting stars was Mr Vikki’s, which scooped two three-star ratings for its Aji Criollo and Black Lime Chutney. Mr Vikki’s also scooped two star ratings for its Brinjal pickle, chilli jam and Sambal Naga.
Three stars is the highest possible rating and is described by the awards organisers as denoting “exquisite” flavour. Only around two per cent of products are awarded three stars each year. Around 10 per cent of products are awarded two stars, described as “above and beyond delicious”.
Penrith butchers Cranstons took two stars for their dry cured smoked streaky bacon, while Appleby creamery also took two stars for its Black Dub Blue cheese.
The Biltong Man, based in Ravenstonedale, also took two stars for Tasty Traditional Droewors.
One of Cumbria’s newest farm to fork enterprises, Eden Yard, which makes Cumbria’s only home grown oil, was awarded two stars for its cold pressed Eden Yard Rapeseed Oil.
Eden Yard’s oil was dubbed “pure, simple and delicious”.
Grown on the Taylor family farm at Plumpton, the oilseed rape is harvested and then traditionally cold-pressed producing a natural and healthy extra virgin oil. Ideal for salad dressings but also a popular choice for roasting, frying and baking.
Launched in December 2021, Eden Yard oil is now used in most of Cumbria’s Michelin-star restaurants, and can also be picked up in a number of retailers.
Described as “a wonderful example of a rapeseed oil” with a “rich golden colour and clean nutty aroma” the oil was a big hit with the Great Taste judges.
Owner Jannike Taylor said: “I am absolutely thrilled that our local oil has been recognised in the world renowned Great Taste Awards. It has been a whirlwind eight months for us but we are just delighted that they have recognised the incredible and unique taste produced by growing in the Eden Valley.”
Solway spirits, of Dumfries and Galloway, was awarded two stars for its Cumberland Saucy Gin, produced exclusively for Chestnut House, at Pooley Bridge.
Taking home a one-star rating for their Keswick ketchup and Pink grapefruit and rhubarb marmalade were Keswick company Wild and Fruitful, while Mr Vikki’s took home a bumper haul of single star ratings for 11 more of its products.
Cranstons bagged a further three one-star ratings, with Appleby Creamery gaining one star for its Eden Smokie and the Biltong Man scooping a further three one-star awards.
