Firm scoops 6 awards in food industry ‘Oscars’
Isle of Man Meats is the only Manx producer to be given a 3-Star rating in this year’s Great Taste Awards.
Widely regarded as the food industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, the annual awards are organised by the UK’s Guild of Fine Food and judged by a panel of over 500 experts including chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers. Winners receive 1-Star, 2-Star or 3-Star awards (with 3-Stars being highest) which all indicate a product of exceptional quality. Isle of Man Meats won six awards in total this year – a 3-Star award in the matured rib of beef category, plus two 2-Star awards (short leg of lamb and belly pork categories), and three 1-Star awards (in the ribeye steak, shoulder of lamb and shoulder of pork categories). The 3-Star award also means that Isle of Meats is in the running to win a prestigious Golden Fork Award – the winners will be announced at the Fine Food Show North on October 17th.
Phil Parsons, Plant Director at Isle of Man Meats, said: “We have won several Great Taste Awards in recent years, but this year is our best ever result because it’s the first time we have won the top 3-Star award which judges say is only given to extraordinarily tasty foods. Winning six awards in total is another independent industry endorsement for the quality of our products, and that of course reflects positively on the business and our network of producers, retailers, business partners and all other stakeholders. The Great Taste Awards logos are symbols of top quality producers and products which are widely recognised by industry professionals and consumers. As winners, we can use the logos – alongside other trusted symbols such as Red Tractor, BRCGS and Isle of Man provenance logos – to support sales in the UK and locally.”
Tim Baker, Chair of Isle of Man Meats, commented: “This is an outstanding achievement and a just reward for the work put in by the whole team. Statistics from the Great Taste Awards organisers show that this year there were 14,113 product entries from 108 countries. Fewer than 10% of entries received a 2-Star rating, and the number that received 3-Stars – 218 – represented only 1.5% of the total entries. Those statistics are a measure of what has been achieved but, even more importantly, the Great Taste Awards illustrate the strength of the reputation that Isle of Man Meats has established in the UK for being a producer of high quality products, and a brand which retailers and consumers trust. ”
After tasting Isle of Man Meats’ 3-Star award-winning matured rib of beef, the Great Taste judges said: “What an absolute stunner of a joint. Expertly butchered and prepared. The rendered fat delivers so much buttery, beefy flavour. The meat is tender and delicious. Fabulous.”
Earlier this month Isle of Man Meats was a chosen as a finalist in the ‘Best Beef Product’ category at the Meat Management Industry Awards. The business is also shortlisted in the Great British Food Awards which will be announced on October 28.
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