Ulster Tatler | GOOD FOOD & DRINK GUIDE AUTUMN 2022
Great Taste Awards 2022
‘Great Taste’ is the largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme. It supports and promotes food and drink producers, large and small, giving buyers and food lovers in the UK and overseas reliable recommendations for great tasting food. The 2022 Great Taste Awards attracted 3,500 food producers who submitted a colossal 14,205 products. The entries were blind tasted by a panel of 500 experts over a 90 day period with only 1.7% (c.241 products) being awarded the coveted 3 Gold Star status. Of these 241 products, only five were from NI, with three local producers being shortlisted for the prestigious Golden Fork Awards in Southwark Cathedral, London – (Ballylisk of Armagh, Corndale Farm and Baronscourt Estate). What do the stars mean? 3-stars: Exquisite Extraordinarily tasty foods – around 2% of products are awarded 3-stars each year. Don’t leave the shop without buying it! 2-stars: Outstanding Above and beyond delicious – less than 10% of entries will achieve this rating. 1-star: Simply delicious A food that delivers fantastic flavour – approximately 25% of entries will achieve this rating each year.
Have a gold star dining experience at home
Wondering what’s for dinner tonight? With SPAR and ViVO own-brand ranges receiving six more stars at the Great Taste Awards, there has never been more choice on your doorstep. The Kitchen, enjoy local and The CHEF ranges have seen five of their products awarded stars this year, which means there are now 24 Great Taste Award stars giving the seal of approval on our products. Picking up the most stars was The Kitchen range, with the Bread & Butter Pudding receiving two stars, the judges described it as “indulgent, honest and truly delicious”. The desserts should be at the top of every customer’s list as the judges also described the Salted Caramel Apple Pudding as “delicious” and awarded it with one star. You can be assured your meal will be of the highest quality, as The Kitchen range is made up of local products from top suppliers across Northern Ireland such as DailyBake, Big Pot and Davison Puds. These award-winning ranges are perfect for all occasions, whether it’s date night, a family party or just a weeknight off from cooking. With flavour packed mains, sides and desserts from the best local suppliers, there’s no need to venture further than your local SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO or ViVOXTRA store when deciding what’s for dinner this week.
Brilliant Ballylisk Brie Ballylisk brie received 3 stars at the Great Taste Awards. This is what the judges had to say: This looks a picture perfectly round. Perfectly ripe, the paste just starts to ooze out but holds itself in check. The rind has an appropriately funky nutty note and encloses a wonderfully rich, creamy paste - this has enough ‘farmyardy’ tang for interest but without any bitterness. The condition is spot on. This appealing looking brie delivered entirely what we hoped to find. The ripeness of this brie was perfect, the crust was delicate but firm with the mildest pleasing hint of mushroom. The paste was pure cream and we loved it and could have devoured the entire round! This brie looks absolutely stunning. Its white bloomed rind is scored in attractive lines. The paste is creamy and velvety, gently oozing onto the board with a slightly firmer core. There is a creamy, gently ‘farmyardy’ nose. On tasting, that rind is soft and yielding, the paste silky smooth and melts on the tongue with savoury salty notes that linger long on the palate. This cheese is in perfect condition and is an absolute joy to eat. What a stunning looking cheese with a rich, lactic, fresh aroma. The texture - what can we say? Rich, creamy and gives the most amazing mouthfeel, releasing flavour rich with fresh dairy notes and an umamirich, rounded finish. This is so well balanced, so rich and tasty with clean dairy notes you just want to keep eating.
130 |
PAGE130.indd 2
05/09/2022 14:02
