Firm wins second three-star Great Taste award

A CUMBRIAN smoked salmon company has won yet another coveted three-star Great Taste Award.

Grants Oak Smoked’s Traditional longsliced smoked salmon was praised by judges for its ‘beautiful presentation… melting texture…. delicate and complex taste…”

It was one of only two UK smoked salmon products to get the three-star accolade.

Run by the Guild of Fine Foods, more than 12,000 products from across the globe were blind tasted by 12 panels of experts made up of top chefs, cookery writers, food critics, restaurateurs and fine food retailers. Less than three per cent of entries received the three star award.

Two years ago Grants’ premium product, its Traditionally Smoked Rope Hung Scottish Salmon, also won the prestigious three star award.

The company’s owner, Jonathan Brown, said: “Once again we are delighted the renowned Great Taste experts have recognised the dedication, expertise and quality of our products.

“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.

“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 recognises that.”

From its base in Maryport on the Cumbrian coast, Grants supplies smoked salmon and other products to restaurants, hotels, retailers and catering companies right across the globe. It employs more than 100 people.

Mr Brown added: “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 recognises their hard work and excellence.”