THREE Northern Ireland businesses have been recognised for their excellence at the prestigious Great Taste Awards.
Hannan Meats of Moira, Ispini Charcuterie from Aughnacloy and Abernethy Butter from Dromora, Co Down were the local winners at the gala awards ceremony held on Monday night in London.
Hannan Meats received the Northern Ireland Golden Fork Award 2017 for its sweet cured bacon rack, Co Tyrone based Ispini received the Golden Fork for Best Charcuterie for its rosemary and thyme bresaola, while Abernethy Butter took home the Woman and Home Great Taste VIP Award for its handmade butter.
The awards were presented at a major event attended by producers, retailers and food writers from across the UK and Ireland and hosted by UK Great Taste’s managing director John Farrand.
Ispini Charcuterie was launched in 2016 by pig farmer Jonny Cuddy and sister Janice to develop another revenue stream for the family farm.
Mr Cuddy has focused on charcuterie using locally sourced ingredients including pork from his own herd. He’s also developed charcuterie featuring craft beer from another Tyrone small business and Irish whiskey.
The Co Tyrone farmer said the award is a "marvellous boost" so soon after the formation of the business.
"It shows that Northern Irish charcuterie now ranks among the very best in Britain and Ireland especially in terms of taste," he said.
Ispini’s bresaola was also included in the Top 50 Foods by the Guild of Fine Food following the award of three stars in the Great Taste Awards.
Hannan Meats, a multi-award winning business founded and managed by Peter Hannan, has two products in the Top 50 – its sweet cured bacon rack and Himalayan salt-aged Glenarm Lamb Rump.
Hannan Meats has twice won the Supreme Champion title in the awards – in 2012 for guanciale and in 2016 for Glenarm Himalayan salt-aged roast beef. The meat business has now won over 200 Great Taste gold stars, more than any other producer in the UK and Ireland.
Allison and Will Abernethy inherited their butter making skills from previous family generations and in 2005 decided to turn what was a hobby into a family business.
The early market of Northern Ireland has now expanded to many prestigious shops and restaurants throughout the UK and beyond.
A total of 180 gold stars were awarded to Northern Ireland food and drink companies by the UK Guild of Fine Food last month, with nine firms achieving the top three gold star rating.
