Great Taste Brings National Food Judges To Belfast
Great Taste,
the world’s largest and most respected food and drink awards, is to hold three
days of judging in Belfast on June 3rd, 4th and 5th, thanks to the welcome
support of Invest Northern Ireland, the food and drink development body.
“We see the
judging sessions as a tremendous opportunity to develop further our
longstanding support for Great Taste and to showcase the quality, variety and
originality of food and drink being created by companies, both large and small,
and particularly fast growing enterprises, here in Northern Ireland,” said
Nigel Hardy, Head of Global Food Marketing at Invest Northern Ireland.
For the three
days of judging, highly respected food experts including Charles Campion
(acclaimed food critic and judge), Nigel Barden (of BBC Radio 2 Foodie
Thursday), Xanthe Clay (The Telegraph) and Jane Curran (Woman & Home) will
be joined by influential buyers from Harrods, Selfridges and renowned London
cheese emporium Paxton & Whitfield.
“This is a
record-breaking year for Great Taste with 10,000 entries. Of these, Northern
Ireland producers have entered a record 716 products from 125 companies and we
are thrilled that we will be judging many of these at the Stormont Hotel with
the help and support of Invest Northern Ireland,” explained John Farrand, MD of
The Guild of Fine Food, organisers of Great Taste.
Although
Great Taste judges will be spending hours blind-tasting a whole host of
different food and drink entries, Invest Northern Ireland has also arranged to
take the judges on several evening food trips including a Brewers’ tour,
Cheesemakers’ tour and a Tea Tasting. There are also plans to visit the salt
chambers of Hannan Meats in Moira, and the oldest independent brewery Hilden
where judges will be able to sample beer and cider from microbrewers and cider
makers.
Great Taste
is also grateful for the support of wholesaler and distributer Get Fresh in
enabling products to be delivered safely for judging.
Since 1994
Great Taste has been organised by the Guild of Fine Food, and over 80,000
products have been judged by hundreds of food experts.
Over the last
20 years, Great Taste has discovered and celebrated the very best fine food and
drink. Chefs, buyers, fine food
retailers, restaurateurs, food critics and writers, blind-taste and provide
valuable feedback to producers who covet the gold and black Great Taste logo
which is increasingly recognised by consumers as a sign of excellence.
The
announcement of the Supreme Champion 2014, sponsored by Harrods, will be made on
the 8th September.
What do Great
Taste judges look for?
They look for
great texture and appearance. They judge the quality of ingredients and how
well the maker has put the food or drink together. But above all, they look for
truly great taste. Working in small teams, experts taste 20 foods in each
sitting, discussing each product as a coordinating food writer transcribes
their comments directly onto the Great Taste website which producers access
after judging is completed. Over the years, numerous food businesses, start-ups
and well-established producers have been advised how to modify their foods and
have subsequently gone on to achieve star status. Any food that a judging team
believes is worthy of a star is judged by at least two further teams. Only when
there is a consensus will a star be awarded.
For 3-stars, judges attending the session, which can be as many as 30
experts must overwhelmingly agree the food delivers that indescribable ‘wow’
factor.
★★★EXQUISITE. WOW! TASTE THAT ★★OUTSTANDING ★SIMPLY DELICIOUS
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