Cochrane Cottage, an artisan producer of fat-free drizzles, flavoured balsamics, preserves and chutneys - and now gourmet marshmallows - has won two Great Taste Awards.
Date:
Fri, 22 Jul 2011
Source:
Cochrane Cottage
The Renfrewshire-based company won a much-coveted two-star Gold Great Taste Award for its fat-free Lime Drizzle and a one-star Gold Great Taste Award for its fat-free Chilli Drizzle.
With no artificial preservatives and all hand-made the old-fashioned way, the products are made in small batches to ensure the customer receives goods which are as fresh as possible.
Using ingredients sourced locally where possible, Houston-based Cochrane Cottage has positioned itself to supply farmers' markets, local shops, cafes, visitor attractions, garden centres and delicatessens as well as working with some prestigious chefs to develop some accompaniments for their seasonal menus.
Carol-Anne Doyle, co-founder of Cochrane Cottage, said: "We are delighted with these awards.
"Winning not just one but two Great Taste Awards recognises the hard work and dedication that goes into making superb food and drink.
"What makes these products so special is that there is no oil, no fat - just vinegar; great if you are on a healthy eating plan.
"It just goes to show that fat-free can taste wonderful. We are looking forward to where this might take our business now."
Kevin, the other half of the partnership, continues: "In today’s world where the consumer places a lot of importance on provenance, we are proud of the fact that our customers can recognise everything on the ingredients label - no artificial additives here."
The Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, are now in their 18th year and going from strength to strength.
Some 7481 products were entered from 1600 companies for the 2011 Great Taste Awards. It took 350 experts 34 days to blind taste all the entries and decide which entries would achieve the coveted one, two and three star Gold awards.
The Great Taste Awards judging standards, devised by the Guild of Fine Food, are the most rigorous in the UK. To achieve the three-star rating a minimum of 20 - more often 30 - judges need to be in complete agreement that the food delivered that indefinable "wow" factor.
Bob Farrand, chairman of The Great Taste Awards, said: "Winning Gold in the country’s largest and most respected independent food accreditation scheme is a massive pat on the back for any producer - independent proof their products are of the highest quality.
"We provide constructive feedback from our expert judging teams and for many, winning one, two or three-star Gold is exactly what’s needed to help grow their businesses, even during a recession. Every winner should feel very proud that their hard work has been rewarded."
The four regional nominated foods for each of the Great Taste trophy winners have been announced by the Guild of Fine Food and the identity of the regional and national winners and the 2011 Supreme Champion remains a closely guarded secret until the night of 5th September when the winners of the Golden Fork trophies will be revealed at the invitation-only awards presentation dinner at London’s Royal Garden Hotel.
Visit Cochrane Cottage for more information.
A full list of award-winning products is available at www.greattasteawards.co.uk.
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