IRISH-MADE products have won 325 awards in the 2011 Great Taste Awards. Among the winners are Supervalu, Superquinn and the Irish arm of the Aldi retail chain, which got more than 15 awards each.
Now in their 17th year, the Great Taste Awards, organised by the Somerset-based Guild of Fine Food, benchmark retail food and drink in the UK and Ireland.
Aldi was awarded 19 gold stars for products sourced by Irish suppliers. Limerick company Glenstal Foods was awarded two gold stars for its Ardagh Specially Selected Irish Vintage White Cheddar, as was Dublin’s Traditional Cheese Company for its Ardagh Specially Selected Tipperary Blue Cheese and Cork supplier Healy’s Honey for its Gold Active 10+ Manuka Honey.
Among other winners from Aldi’s Specially Selected range was Grandessa Irish marmalade.
Supervalu got awards in 15 categories.
The chain was awarded three stars for its Supreme Orange Blossom Honey; two stars for its traditional brown bread and Wiltshire ham; and one star for, among other products, its crab claws and tea brack.
Superquinn was awarded two gold stars for its Cashel Blue cheese and its Luxury Muesli, while its fillet steak and own-brand white cheddar were among its one-star winners.
Barry’s tea, Tyrconnell whiskey and G’s Gourmet Jams were among the Irish products awarded gold stars.
More than 7,000 products from more than 1,500 companies in the UK and Ireland were assessed by over 400 experts who included buyers, retailers, chefs and food writers.
The winners are contacted individually over the course of a week.
More Irish winners from other retail chains are expected to emerge in coming days.
A ceremony at which a smaller number of major prizewinners will be announced is due to be held in London in September.
