Great Taste Awards 2020 - The Irish Winners

Following 14 weeks of judging, the results of the world’s most trusted food and drink awards, Great Taste, have been released, and many of our artisan producers are celebrating their star awards.
Founded in 1994 and seen as a stamp of excellence, the Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste awards values taste above all else, and all products are removed from packaging before tasting. The 144 judges – food critics, chefs, restaurateurs, retail buyers, cooks, producers, food writers, journalists and “influencers” – decide which products merit one, two or three stars.
Some 12,777 products were entered this year and we are thrilled to be able to showcase and sell dozens of Irish winners including Achill Sea Salt, Pizza Da Piero, Stonewell Cider, Hompun Foods, Wexford Home Preserves, Ballymaloe Foods, Nutshed, Naturally Cordial, Mella Irish Butter Fudge, Ummera Smoked Salon, O’Neill’s dry Cure Bacon, Feighery’s Beetroot Juice, Wild About Foods, Irish Gourmet Butter, Killowen Farm, Keoghs Crisp and of course the inimitable Falhavan’s Oats
You could say ardkeen.com is your one stop shop for Great Taste! See the winners below:
-
Ballymaloe Original Relish 310g
Ballymaloe Country Relish was originally created by Myrtle Allen in her restaurant in 1964. Myrtle's daughter Yasmin now produces this delicious relish for markets at home and abroad.
-
-
Ballymaloe Mayo 450ml
Delicious Irish Mayonnaise
There is a long tradition of making homemade mayonnaise at Ballymaloe House and we are thrilled to now be bringing Ballymaloe Mayonnaise to the market. Our unique tasting Mayonnaise is made in small batches with Extra Virgin olive oil, free range Irish eggs and cracked black pepper. Its delicious taste and ingredients make it different from any other mayo out there. A dollop of our mayo is the perfect finish to a sandwich, salad, summer BBQ’s and much more.
-
-
Wild About Black Bettys Bramble Jam 200g
Black Bettys Bramble Jam – Bam a lam! – SILVER BLAS 2019
Succulent hedgerow blacknerries, spiced rum, Madagascan vanilla and lemon juice rock this unique preserve. Delicious for breakfast, lunch or tea. Spread on pancakes, toast or scones. Tru with soft cheese or even stir through porridge.
-
-
Nutshed Peanut Butter Crunchy Honey Roasted 280g
*No Palm Oil*
Peanut Butter
This liquid gold is made fresh by Nutshed on the regular back at NutShed HQ in Tipperary. No added oil, specially not palm oil! They slather it into their treats, but also glug it straight into pots now so you can use it in your cooking – from porridge to satays to rice bowls. On toast with banana and raw honey? Edible heaven.Crunchy Honey Roasted:
Raw peanuts, drizzled with honey and roasted till caramelised. They chop them fine and fold them back through their NutShed original peanut butter. -
-
Ummera Smoked Products Irish Smoked Organic Salmon 100g
The organic salmon are raised off the west coast of Ireland according to strict organic principles, they grown under much less crowded conditions thn normal farmed salmon, and the exposed sites where the currents are strong to give them more natural texture, their diet is close to the species' normal food and is from sustainable; the natural pink colour comes from crustacean shells and phaffia yeast. Their rearing is not dependant on the chemical and anti-biotic inputs normal for other farmed salmon. The pure sea salt, raw cane sugar, and oak used in the smoking process are all approved for organic production.
-
-
Ummera Smoked Products Organic Smoked Salmon 200g
Ummeras organic salmon are raised off the west coast of Ireland according to strict organic principles; they grow under much less crowded conditions than normal farmed salmon, and the exposed sites where the currents are strong give them a more natural texture. Their diet is closer to the spices’ normal food, and is from sustainable sources; the natural pink colour comes from crustacean shells and phaffia yeast. Their rearing is not dependent on the chemical and anti-biotic inputs normal for other farmed salmon. The pure sea salt, raw cane sugar, and oak used in the smoking process are all approved for organic production.
-
-
O’Neills Dry Cure Bacon Co Dry Cured Rashers 300g
Awarded 2 Stars at the Great Taste Awards 2016 & 2017
At O'Neills Dry Cure Bacon Co., we know a thing or two about bacon. We know that the tastiest rashers are dry cured by hand in a traditional way which stops them shrinking the pan. Using our unique family recipe, we dry cure Irish pork with natural sea salt to enhance the flavour. Our rashers contain 30% less salt that the average rasher and as we don't add water, no phosphates are needed. The result, proper rashers that taste and cook like they should.
-
-
O’Neills Dry Cured Streaky Rashers 200g
Awarded 2 Stars at the Great Taste Awards 2016
At O'Neills Dry Cure Bacon Co., we know a thing or two about bacon. We know that the tastiest rashers are dry cured by hand in a traditional way which stops them shrinking the pan. Using our unique family recipe, we dry cure our rashers with natural sea salt to enhance the flavour. They contain 30% less salt that the average rasher and as we don't add water, no phosphates are needed. The result, proper rashers that taste and cook like they should.
-
-
Stonewell Cider Tawny 500ml
A truly specialist cider, Tawny is a rich, opulent and viscous cider, dark in colour and possessing complex bittersweet flavours. Tawny can be consumed as a slightly chilled aperitif or it also performs excellently as an accompaniment to cheese or desserts.
We create this cider by chaptalising the Michelin and Dabinett apple juice whilst it ferments. Raising the alcohol to 15%, we arrest the fermentation. This leaves residual sugars which encourage the development of highly complex favours during its minimum 12 month aging process. When we consider the cider has reached maturity we pass it through dry hops. This final step before bottling adds additional flavour and counter balances the residual sugars remaining within the cider: which all goes to create an array of delightful aromas on the nose. A still cider to be enjoyed at leisure and in moderation. The Tawny is produced in very small quantities, in the order of 3,000 litres a year. It is bottled by hand by our team in Cork and sealed using food grade beeswax and an individual label identifying the bottle number and signature of the cider maker.
-
-
Wexford Home Preserves Wexford Rhubarb & Ginger Jam 420g
Wexford Home Preserves is a small family artisan business, started by Ellen O'Leary in 1988 and now run by the Sinnott family. The Sinnotts make delicious jams, marmalades and savoury preserves in the heart of beautiful County Wexford. "From traditional family recipes, we carefully cook our produce using open pot boiling in small batches, making sure that the quality is always exceptional. We use the finest fresh fruit from local growers as much as possible and add nothing but 100% natural ingredients".
-
-
Irish Gourmet Butter Taste of the Forest 100g
Made in Waterford, bringing four generations of traditional butter making to your family table.
Carefully hand crafted Truffle infused Irish Creamery Butter.
-
-
Irish Gourmet Butter Taste of the Sea 100g
Made in Waterford, bringing four generations of traditional butter making to your family table.
Carefully hand crafted Irish Creamery Butter with a distinctive Taste of the Sea.
-
-
Feighery’s Farm Irish Homegrown Beetroot Juice with Irish Apples 250ml
Irish Beetroot Juice from Feighery's Farm using 70% handpicked homegrown Offaly beets blended with Tipperary Apples and no added sugar
-
-
Feighery’s Farm Irish Homegrown Beetroot Juice with Irish Apples 500ml
Irish Beetroot Juice from Feighery's Farm using 70% handpicked homegrown Offaly beets blended with Tipperary Apples and no added sugar.
- Source of folic acid
- Source of porassium
- Source of protein
-
Killowen Farm Wexford Blackcurrant Creamy Handmade Yogurt 140g
Made with our own cows’ milk
- One Wexford Family Farm
- Source of natural protein
- 100% natural live yogurt
No additives, always natural
-
Homespun Quinoa Crunch with Goji Berry, Cashew & Coconut 275g
A nutritious and delicious twist on granola, blending quinoa pops, super seeds, cashews, coconut and vitamin rich goji berries. Delicious sprinkled on yoghurt, porridge or enjoyed as a cereal in its own right. Gluten, wheat and refined sugar free. High in Fibre, Vitamin E and Magnesium and a source of Folic acid, Iron and Potassium. Hand-made in West Cork.
Praise for Homespun Quinoa Crunch Gojiberry, Cashew and Coconut
“Tastes as good as it looks. Perfectly done” - UK Guild of Fine Food, Great Taste JudgesAwarded 1 star at the Great Taste Awards 2019
Awarded Gold at the Free From Food Awards 2019 -
-
Homespun Quinoa Crunch with Pecan & Cranberry 275g
A nutritious and delicious twist on granola, blending quinoa pops, super seeds, juicy cranberries and crunchy raw pecans. Delicious sprinkled on yoghurt, porridge or enjoyed as a cereal in its own right. Gluten, wheat and refined sugar free. High in Fibre, Vitamin E and Magnesium and a source of Folic acid, Iron and Potassium. Hand-made in West Cork.”
Praise for Homespun Quinoa Crunch Pecan and Cranberry
"Absolutely delicious, Healthy yet luxurious. premium ingredients. Superb flavour” - Judges, Irish Quality Food Awards.Awarded Gold at the Free From Food Awards 2019
Awarded Best Cereal, Irish Quality Food Awards 2017 -
-
Pizza da Piero 2 stonebaked Pizza Bases 280g
Crafted with pride by Piero an Italian Baker living in Ireland & bringing his original rustic pizzas to home here since 2007.
-
-
Pizza da Piero 3 Stonebaked Pizza Bases 420g
Three stonebaked pizza bases. We take pride in making the most delicious pizza bases for the growning number of consumers who now know how good italian pizza bases taste;
3 simple steps to making the perfect pizza margherita;
- Spread the tomato sauce on the stone baked pizza base;
- Sprinkle oregano followed by some fresh mozzarella;
- Bake in a pre heated oven at 350 degrees for 5-7 mins
Blas Na HEireann Irish Food Award Winners 2017
Blas Na HEireann Irish Food Award Winners 2016
Blas Na HEireann Irish Food Award Winners 2015
Blas Na HEireann Irish Food Award Winners 2014
-
Pizza da Piero The Artisan Pizza Company 4 mini stonebaked pizza bases 200g
Traditional Italian Pizza Base handmade in Ireland PIZZA DA PIERO by The Artisan Pizza Company.
4 x mini stonebaked Italian Pizza Bases
-
-
Keogh’s Atlantic Sea Salt & Irish Cider Vinegar 125g
Awarded 1 Star at the Great Taste Awards 2016
The Keogh family believe that good things come from mother nature and that is why we have been working the land growing delicious Irish potatoes for over 200 years. We are now hand cooking Irelands finest crisps in small batches on our farm, ‘from crop to crop’, drown and cooked with love in Ireland
-
-
Flahavan’s Irish Oaty Flapjacks Dark Choc & Orange 40g x 6 Slices
Dark Belgian chocolate and natural orange oil to create a moreishly delicious snack.
Our delicious flapjacks are baked to perfection following Mary Flahavan’s recipe. We bake these beside our mill in Kilmacthomas, where our family have been milling oats for over 230 years. We source the finest quality Irish oats from local growers resulting in a delicious crunchy oaty snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Providing a source of fibre and slow release energy to fuel you through your busy day.
-
-
Flahavan’s Porridge Oats Organic 1kg
Awarded 2 Stars at the Great Taste Awards 2016
A bowl of Flahavans is all about taste. Creating that taste starts with sourcing the finest quality oats from the rich rolling farmlands of southeast Ireland. Our mill situated in a small village in Waterford, has been an independant family business for over 200 years. We use milling techniques handed down over generations to create perfect porridge oats. The unspoilt local environment and mild wet climate is ideal for growing the finest oats. At harvest time we take in our new season oats, drying and storing them for the year ahead. Because our ats are less processed, they keep their natuarl wholesome texture and flavour, the result is a warm nourishing bowl of Flahavan's. Certified Organic which in Ireland is subject ti the most stringent regulations and is strictly monitored by the organic Trust Ireland; Cooking Instructions- Cook on the hob(serves 2)- Stir half a cup(80g) into 400 mls of water/milk. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5-7 minutes stirring occasionall, allow to stand for 1 minute before serving; Microwave-Stir 40 g of Flahavans Course Cut oatmeal into 170 mls of water/milk, Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stir and return to microwave to cook for another 1 minute before serving(based on a 900W microwave)
-
-
Wild About Wild Garlic Oil 250ml
Blas na hEireann Finalist.
Wild Garlic, the herald of spring, antibacterial, antiviral, pro biotic, a natural immune booster. High in vitamin B and folic acid.
We have infused our ethical, cold pressed extra virgin rape oil with freshly picked Wild Garlic, giving a wonderful seasonal oil ideal for marinating, dressing pizza or pasta, cooking or simply make the best garlic bread ever!
-