SOME of Dorset’s top food producers have been recognised in the world’s largest blind-tasted food awards scheme.

The Dorset Smokery & Charcuterie based at Hurn is one of 153 producers that can now carry the Great Taste logo for its Wild Boar & Apple Sausage and Forestiere Pâté.

“The Wild Boar and Apple Honker, which is always a highlight of the Christchurch Food Festival, reigned supreme once again, and in a totally different category the Forestiere Pâté has reflected our skills and determination to excel. It is an achievement that we are immensely proud of and as a Dorset based and branded business, something for the local community to be proud of also,” said Thomas Stevens, product manager.

Now they must wait to see if they are in with a chance of the top awards which will be announced at the Great Taste Golden Fork Awards Dinner in London on September 8. Great Taste is about taste, not clever branding or smart packaging. Judges are presented with a spoonful of jam, a pie, a slice of salami, or a cup of espresso, with no wrappings, jars or marks – and they taste, confer and re-taste before making the decision on whether a product should be a Great Taste 1-, 2- or 3-star winner. Judged by over 400 of the most demanding palates including locally-renowned James Golding, pictured, chef director of The Pig hotel group, Great Taste is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers.

Blind-tasting food

The Great Taste logo is regarded as a signpost to a wonderful tasting product.

Hundreds of judges spend hours blind-tasting a total of 10,000 different products, of which, only 153 have been awarded Great Taste 3-star.

The next stage involves the Top 50 Foods being announced on twitter @guildoffinefood #Top50Foods.