Eighteen food products made by seven different producers on the Isle of Man have been given the stamp of approval by leading experts at the Great Taste Awards 2021.

The annual awards, considered to be the ’Oscars’ of the food industry, are organised by the Guild of Fine Food. They attract entries from all over the world and provide a quality benchmark for the food and drink industry.

Each of the 10,000 entries was blind tasted by a panel of experts made up of top chefs, buyers and food writers, before the best were awarded a star rating which can be displayed on packaging to inform consumers and help them stand out on retail shelves.

The winning local producers were Andreas Meat Co Ltd, Isle of Man Meats, Aalin Dairy, Berries Luxury Pudding Makers and Confectioners, Paddy’s Hooked on Fish/Robinson’s Ltd, Close Leece Farm and Ramsey Bakery Ltd. They can expect to find the profile of their products being raised in the many countries where the Great Taste Awards are recognised.

Isle of Man Meats’ was the biggest local winner with six awards including the highest three star rating for their matured rib of beef.

Phil Parsons, plant director at Isle of Man Meats, said: ’We have won several Great Taste Awards in recent years, but this is our best ever result with six in the same year.

’It is also the first time we have won the top three star award which judges say is only given to extraordinary tasty foods so we are all thrilled.

’The success is another independent industry endorsement for the quality of our products, and that reflects positively on the business and our network of producers, retailers, business partners and all other stakeholders.’

Seven local products including meats, luxury cakes and seafood earned two star ratings and 10 more gained one star recognition.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) supports local producers to submit their applications as part of its Food Matters strategy, which aims to grow the island’s food and drink industry by £50m over 10 years.

Geoffrey Boot, Minister for DEFA, said: ’The Great Taste Awards are the world’s largest and most trusted industry awards for food and drink - and we’re thrilled to see so many local producers recognised.

Following the success of our food and drink festival it really does show that the island’s food producers are thriving.’

3 Star Awards

Isle of Man Meats - Matured rib of beef

2 Star Awards

Isle of Man Meats - belly pork; short leg of lamb

Berries Luxury Pudding Makers and Confectioners - luxury rum and maple fruit cake; luxury honey bub fruit cake

Paddy’s Hooked on Fish / Robinson’s Ltd - beetroot smoked seatrout

Close Leece Farm - Manx saucisson, bresaola, guancialle

1 Star Awards

Isle of Man Meats - shoulder of pork; shoulder of lamb; rib eye steak

Andreas Meat Co Ltd - pork and leek sausages; traditional Manx dry cure bacon

Aalin Dairy - natural yogurt; thick cream

Berries Luxury Pudding Makers and Confectioners - luxury apple black butter and calvados Christmas pudding

Ramsey Bakery Ltd - Viennese mince pies