Great Taste, the world’s most coveted food and drink awards, has announced its stars of 2019, and a multitude of delicious Welsh food and drink products have been stamped with a gold seal of approval.
An exceptional 174 Welsh products ranging from small independent artisan producers to large scale distributors have been deemed worthy of this prestigious award, with 128 products achieving 1-star, 36 receiving 2-stars and 10 earning the gold stamp of approval with 3-stars.
Every year a panel of distinguished judges made up of top chefs, cookery writers, food critics, restaurateurs and fine food retailers gather to sample the nation’s best food and drink and this year, Welsh producers did not disappoint. The process involves judges blind tasting in teams of three or four, ensuring they “get a balance of expertise, age and gender” before finalising their decisions.
The ten Welsh products that have this year been recognised to deliver that 3-star “extraordinarily tasty foods” status are:
- Carmarthenshire Dairy Products – COPA Blue Cheese
- Cold Black Label – Pirate Bay
- Conti’s Ice Cream – Welsh Whiskey
- Da Mhile Distillery – Da Mhile Apple Brandy
- Garej Spirits Co Ltd – Jin Talog – Organic London Dry Gin
- New Quay Honey Farm / Afon Mȇl – Afon Mȇl Heather Mead
- Seidr y Mynydd – Seidr y Mynydd –Keeved Bottle – Conditioned Clear
- Slade Farm Organics – Shoulder of Pork on the bone
- The Anglesey Sea Salt Company – Pure sea salt smoked over oak
- The Anglesey Sea Salt Company – Smoky Dijon Mustard
Overall, the number of Welsh companies receiving a 2019 Great Taste award is greater in comparison to last year proving that the food and drink industry is thriving in Wales.
Congratulating the winning producers, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said:
“I am delighted to see so many of our Welsh food producers recognised at the 2019 Great Taste Awards. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the Welsh winners on this fantastic achievement.
”The judges from the Guild of Fine Foods have identified produce of the highest quality from every part of Wales, reflecting the hard work and creativity which is characteristic of our world class food industry.”
Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers, and is described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world.
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food said “The standard of Welsh entries this year has been outstanding. Great Taste is recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike. It is a fantastic achievement and a tangible sign of the quality and excellence, which reflects the ever increasing commitment by Welsh food and drink producers in this competitive industry.”
All ten of the 3-star Welsh products are now up for the regional title of ‘Golden Fork from Wales’ which will be announced on Sunday 1 September in London, with the final applause reserved for the Great Taste Supreme Champion 2019.
A full list of this year’s winners can be viewed at www.greattasteawards.co.uk