Great Taste Awards Winners Revealed

The family company was created 18 years ago and is based in Tyne and Wear. The winning sorbet is made using only natural ingredients. Peter Craig, who runs Beckleberry’s with son, Ian, says, “We don’t need to add any colourings as the blackcurrant provides such a fantastic, vibrant colour. Nor do we add any flavourings. Sorbets made on industrial scale will often use a lot of sugar to mask the fact that corners are being cut on other ingredients, which has a detrimental effect on flavours.”

It was a night to remember for Beckleberry’s, which came home with no less than three gongs. Other than the Supreme Champion prize, the company also scooped Best English Speciality and Best Speciality from the North East.

This year the judges had a tough time deciding on the winner. Muddee, a chocolate cake by More? The Artisan Baker, missed out on the top spot by only half a point. However, the company won Best Speciality in the North West.

More than 4,700 products were entered in the competition this year and almost a quarter of them were awarded at least a one-star Gold Award. However, only 72 entrants received the coveted three-star gold.

Major trophy winners at the Great Taste Awards 2008 included:

Best Speciality from South West: The Otter Brewery with their Otter Head Beer

Best Speciality from the North West: More? The Artisan Bakery with their More? Muddees

Best Speciality from the Heart of England: Walter Smith with their Free Range Streaky Bacon

Best Speciality from the East Midlands: Simtom Food Products with their Biryani Curry Paste

Best Welsh Speciality: Harvies with their Pork, Prune & Calvados Pie.

Best Speciality from Yorkshire & Humber: Swaledale Cheese Company with their Swaledale Goats’ Milk Cheese

Best Scottish Speciality: Ballencrieff Rare Pedigree Pigs with their Pork Sausages

Best Speciality from the North East: Beckleberry’s (Artisan Foods) with their Blackcurrant & Kirsch Sorbet.

Best Speciality from Northern Ireland: Co Couture with their Irish Whiskey Truffle

Best Speciality from the South East: Oddono’s Gelati Italiani with their Nocciola Piemonte Ice Cream

Best Irish Speciality: Mossfield Organic Farm with their Organic Mature 9 Months Gouda-Style Cheese