A Jersey business known for its local biltong has had its produce recognised with a prestigious Great Taste Award.
The Smokey Shed joins fellow Genuine Jersey members Jersey Fudge Pot, La Mare Wine Estate and Jersey Seafood in receiving awards under the Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste scheme.
Pictured: If you haven’t heard of the Great Taste Awards, you may recognise its branding.
Producers and retailers anonymously enter their products into the scheme in hopes of receiving a “seal of approval” from its panel of over 500 experts that include chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers.
Businesses can earn one of three Great Taste Awards for their products – one-star meaning “simply delicious”; two-star which means “outstanding”; and three-star which is “exquisite”.
If you haven’t heard of the Great Taste Awards, you may recognise its branding – a signifier that the product is worthy of recognition in the eyes of the panel.
The Smokey Shed was given a two-star award for its smoked salmon.
Express spoke to managing director Neil Cotillard about the win…
How does it feel to have your product recognised with a Great Taste Award?
It’s like a pat on the back from an officially recognised organisation.
We have many emails from customers telling us our smoked salmon is world class, but to hear it from industry is the best recognition.
What do you think makes your product special?
Our smoked salmon is very different.
Unlike most commercial stuff, which is almost always stringy and chewy, we soft cure our salmon.
This process enables our salmon to melt in your mouth. And is what makes us stand out from the crowd.
What does the application process for a Great Taste Award looks like?
The application process is an online form.
Once submitted and entry fee paid, you will receive an email with the address for the judging day for your category of product.
We send our product ice-packed on air freight overnight the day before judging.
We then have to wait many months to hear the results.
Do you think the award will have a positive impact on your business?
The award, we hope, will give retailers better confidence to stock our products.
Our products are expensive as they cost us a lot to produce, but since the results we have already seen a 30% increase in our regular retailers orders.
Do you think awards like this help put Jersey’s produce on a national stage?
We aim to shine the light on the brand ‘Jersey’. All our products are Jersey.
Being given the award on a national level will certainly keep Jersey products in customers minds.