First ever British Charcuterie Awards launched

The British Charcuterie Awards will be held on the first day of the BBC Countryfile Live show on 2nd August 2018.

Henrietta Green, co-founder of the awards said, “As British charcuterie is showing such dynamic development, the time is right for all producers, artisanal or larger-scale, to have an appropriate public showcase for their diverse ranges.

“For us, it is about celebrating the Britishness, promoting excellence, making the consumer more aware of the variety, choice and endless possibilities of charcuterie. It’s about adding value, reducing waste, finding alternative income streams for farmers and now that we seem to be heading for Brexit – making our own and fighting back the imports.

“And who knows – just as supermarkets boast speciality cheese areas – soon they may have speciality charcuterie areas with a vast choice of British producers.”

With well over 100 products already entered within the first three weeks of going live, it promises to be a wide-ranging and exciting contest.

Judges include leading food, retail and hospitality experts including head judge John Gower of New York’s Charcuterie Masters; British Bake Off co-judge Prue Leith; chefs Angela Hartnett, James Lowe, Ben Tish, Adam Handling, Chris Galvin, Rowley Leigh and Neil Borthwick; master butcher David Lidgate; charcutier extraordinaire Stephane Reynaud; Monika Linton, founder of Brindisa; Rich Summers of The School of Artisan Food; food writers Xanthe Clay and Felicity Cloake; Graham Stoodley charcuterie Manager for Harvey & Brockless, Shane Holland of Slow Food UK and Tom Beeston of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

There are nine categories that range from cured and air-dried whole muscle products such as prosciutto to cured and fermented sausages such as salami. British regional products – traditional favourites including Bath Chaps or Lincolnshire Chine – have their own categories as do all products made from authenticated rare-breed meats. A Champion of Champions Product and Champion of Champions Producer will be selected from the winners for trophies.

John Gower, head judge, “Henrietta and Charlotte are thorough, dedicated and really do care about getting Charcuterie better known to the British public. And as a charcuterie maker, let me tell you that is important – getting our products in front of customers so they can try what is being made.”