Grants Oak Smoked Ltd. has won a second three-star Great Taste award in this year’s contest, run by the Guild of Fine Food.
The Cumbria, United Kingdom-based company’s Grants’ Traditional longsliced smoked salmon was commended by judges for its “beautiful presentation… melting texture… delicate and complex taste…”
Two years ago, Grants’ Traditionally Smoked Rope Hung Scottish Salmon also won the three-star award.
“To win three stars with two separate products in such a short period of time is a fantastic success. For the Grants Traditional longsliced – one of our core products - to win three stars represents an amazing achievement. It signifies the emphasis we have placed on quality for more than 30 years,” Grants Owner Jonathan Brown said. “We only source the finest salmon from suppliers with the highest aquaculture and environmental standards. Each fish is then hand-trimmed, cured and smoked the traditional way, over real oak chips, under the personal supervision of our master smoker. When I started the company, hand-delivering single sides of smoked salmon to Lake District chefs, I vowed quality would always be the benchmark which set us apart, and I am thrilled this latest award recognizes that.”
Employing more than 100 people, Grants supplies smoked salmon and other products to restaurants, hotels, retailers and catering companies around the world.
“As a family company, we are very proud of our Cumbrian roots and always do our utmost to promote the area and its produce across the globe. Awards such as this help us in this process. Everything we have achieved would not have been possible without the dedication and support of every member of our team, some of whom have been with us for decades. This award also recognizes their hard work and excellence,” said Brown.
The Great Taste Awards 2019 saw a panel of 12 experts – comprising chefs, cookery writers, food critics, restaurateurs and fine food retailers – blind taste more than 12,000 products from across the globe. Less than 3 percent of entries received the three-star award.
Image courtesy of Grants Oak Smoked Ltd.