Dorset foods declared gurt lush at taste awards

Fine food businesses in Dorset have picked up more than 70 gongs at this year’s Great Taste Awards.

More than 14,000 products from 109 countries were assessed in the awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food.

Portland a ‘hidden’ gem

The Isle of Portland came fourth place in the Hidden Islands Index by HomeToGo global search data.

Identified using HomeToGo global search trend insight, the islands are ranked according to four indicators of hidden gem status: comparatively low traveller demand, standing as a local secret, lack of social media hype, and limited overall awareness. The Isle of Portland came fourth, appearing alongside places across the Netherlands, Canada, Italy, the USA, France, Australia, Portugal, the Bahamas, the Philippines, French Polynesia and Scotland.

Among the winners who picked up three-star awards were Rampisham-based charcuterie Capreolus Fine Foods for its ‘Dorset Coppa’ meat, and Hollis Mead Organic Dairy in Corscombe for its organic truffled Benville. Dorset Pastry in Dorchester also picked up a three-star award as did Angel Cottage Organics, based in Fifehead Neville near Sturminster Newton, for its organic whole chicken.

A three-star award went to Dorchester’s Wasabi Company for its Sansho Spiced Rum. Woodlands Dairy Ltd, based in Blandford Forum, was awarded top marks for its Organic Sheep Milk Yoghurt as was The Dorset Dairy Co, based in Stalbridge in the Blackmore Vale, for its Dorset Strained Yoghurt in strawberry and whole milk flavours. The Cherry Tree, from Bridport, represents the west Dorset market town on the list for two of its preserves products: Cherry with Amaretto Extra Jam and Passion Fruit Curd. Numerous other South and West Dorset businesses won two- and one-star awards.