News: Gold stars for Rotherham food producers

Two Rotherham companies are celebrating after winning prestigious Great Taste Awards for 2011.

Organised by the Guild of Fine Food and now in their 18th year, the awards are the most trusted and recognised food and drink awards in the country. They are the speciality food and drink equivalent of the Michelin star in fine dining.

The Yorkshire Crisp Company has been presented with a coveted one-star Gold Great Taste Award for its Roast Lamb and Mint gourmet crisps.

The Waleswood company produces hand-made gourmet crisps made from local vegetables and totally natural flavours and the new flavour was launched earlier this year following a national competition.

Tim Wheatley, sales director at The Yorkshire Crisp Company, said: "We are thrilled to have won this award with our new limited edition guest flavour, which is our first non-vegetarian crisp.

"Winning a Great Taste Award recognises the efforts we go to in producing our luxury crisps and because of its success, we are now going to make the Roast Lamb and Mint flavour a permanent line in our range. We are also extending the range by launching Lamb & Mint in our unique 100g drums in October."

The crisps are exported across the world an are sold in regional supermarkets and John Lewis Food Halls, Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

Very Delicious managed to go one better by gaining two of the coveted one-star Gold Great Taste Awards - one for its White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake and one for its Gluten Free Almond and Orange cake.

Parkgate-based Very Delicious specialise in handmade desserts and buffets. They use local ingredients from local companies combined with recipes that have been perfected to give that extra sparkle.

Fiona Morgan, catering director of Very Delicious said: "We are delighted with these awards. Winning a Great Taste Award recognises the hard work and dedication that has gone into making desserts our customers come back time and time again for.

"We pride ourselves on making cheesecakes and cakes that will make your taste buds tingle."

For the 2011 Great Taste Awards, over 7,400 products were judged over an intense two-month period. Each food entered receives feedback from a panel of over 300 judges and before gold is awarded, a minimum of 12 experts, often 16, have to taste, discuss and agree.

Bob Farrand, chairman for The Great Taste Awards, said: "Winning Gold in the country's largest and most respected independent food accreditation scheme is a massive pat on the back for any producer – independent proof their products are of the highest quality."

Yorkshire Crisps website
Very Delicious website

Images: yorkshire-crisps.co.uk / Very Delicious