Award-Winning Food And Drink Available At Market

This week we received confirmation – as if it were needed – that Truro Farmers Market really is the best place to source the finest artisan food products made here in Cornwall. Three of our hard-working stall-holders are now the proud owners of 2016 Great Taste Awards – the world’s most coveted blind-tasted food awards.

For ambitious small producers, the Great Taste Awards is the pinnacle; it’s the most respected accreditation scheme for food and drink, and a mark of quality which is widely respected by consumers.

At the awards, everything is tasted blind so marketing and packaging are disregarded, creating a level playing field. The judges are extremely tough critics – this year’s expert panel included; TV chef and author, Valentine Warner, MasterChef judge and restaurant critic, Charles Campion, and food buyers from Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols and Waitrose.

Primrose Herd came away with a remarkable 3-stars for two products – Gloucestershire Old Spots Belly Pork and Gloucester Old Spots Shoulder of Pork.

The pigs of Primrose Herd are reared outside on the family farm, and allowed to grow and develop slowly – creating the perfect ratio of meat to fat and ensuring the fantastic flavour recognised by the judges.

Bill Lugg commented: “We are thrilled to have achieved three stars for two of our products – it makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Meanwhile The Cornish Duck Company also secured 3-stars for its Whole Free Range Duck, and 2-stars each for its Duck Breast and Duck Burger.

Just like Sally and Bill Lugg, Roger and Tanya Olver dedicate every waking hour to the care of their livestock, nurturing their brood from hatchery to nursery, and into the open air.

Roger said: “The Great Taste Awards really are very tough, with 10,000 entries. Out of those only 141 were awarded 3-stars, so it’s a particularly fantastic seal of approval for our whole free range duck.”

Finally, Gill Doble of Spirits of Cornwall is celebrating after receiving 1-star for three of her products – Marmalade Liqueur, Kea Plum Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur. Gill’s small-batch liqueurs have quickly become known for their complexity and depth of flavour; they are great cocktail ingredients or can be served alongside desserts.

Gill said: “I always get great feedback at market, where customers love the unusual flavours and versatility of my liqueurs. It’s very rewarding to hear that the Great Taste judges appreciated them too, and gave them the seal of approval!”

All of these award-winning products are available to buy at market, making our green and white stripped stalls the perfect place to stock up on the best food and drink created in Cornwall.