Isle of Man Meats has scooped a golden pair of the highest global accolades in independent food and drink, winning two 3-star Great Taste Awards for 2023.
The outstanding products awarded are the Wing Rib of Beef and Rack of Lamb, both of which will now be considered for the prestigious Golden Fork awards.
Judges praised the Rack of Lamb for being “a spectacular piece of meat” and “a beautiful product”, while some “…declared this the best lamb they have ever tried!”.
The Wing Rib of Beef was similarly lauded, with comments noting that the joint “immediately impressed the judges… a breathtaking rib of beef… [and] a fantastic example of well-reared beef with wonderful, lasting flavour.”
With 14,195 entries entered into this year’s awards, just 1.8% of products have achieved the illustrious and highly-coveted 3-star award.
Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the Great Taste Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in the culinary world. Often referred to as ‘the Oscars’ of the food industry, the Great Taste Awards celebrate taste above all else, without regard to branding or packaging.
Isle of Man Meats has consistently won a clutch of 1- and 2-star Great Taste Awards in previous years, receiving their first 3-star commendation in 2021 with a Rib of Beef.
However, this is the first time the company has walked away with a rare pairing of top prizes, and the first time they have won for Manx lamb — often regarded as a difficult product to perfect, with fierce competition from UK and global producers.
Kirree Kermode, procurement officer at Isle of Man Meats, reflected on the awards:
“To win one 3-star Great Taste Award is a triumph. To win two is on another level. We’re always thrilled and delighted to see Manx food and drink attain recognition on the global stage, but this is a really special moment for us all at Isle of Man Meats and for our farming community who work so hard to raise and nurture truly world-class produce.
“These awards are a testament to Manx quality and an outstanding achievement for Manx agriculture. Raised in the world’s only entire nation UNESCO Biosphere region, Manx meats benefit from our Island’s clean air, nutrient-rich soil, and an environment brimming with biodiversity. These factors all come together to create produce that isn’t just delicious, but also a symbol of the Isle of Man's commitment to excellence and sustainability.”
The 3-star Great Taste Award-winning Wing Rib of Beef and Rack of Lamb will be available to purchase in the Isle of Man Meats stand at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show (11 and 12 August 2023) and Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival (16 and 17 September 2023).
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