Ann’s Pantry tastes success in awards

The local business has cemented its position as one of most successful bakery in Northern Ireland, winning a coveted two-star gold for its custard tart and five one-star gold for low GI multi seed, Guinness wheaten, spelt and honey bread, carrot cake and all butter shortbread (making it the only Northern Irish winner in a category dominated by Scottish producers).

John Agnew, owner of Ann’s Pantry said: “We are delighted to receive continued recognition for our products from the UK’s premier Food and Beverage Award. Winning Great Taste Awards for the third consecutive year recognizes the hard work and dedication of all our team and our continued effort to making superb artisan, handcrafted breads, cakes and pastries using the finest local and regional ingredients.”

The Great Taste Awards, organized by the Guild of Fine Food, are now in their 19th year and going from strength to strength. A total of 8807 products were entered from 1823 companies for the 2012 awards. It took 350 experts 45 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. All the judges’ comments are made available to producers. If no gold is awarded, they need to know why.

Bob Farrand, chairman for 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 gold awards 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.”

A full list of award-winning products is available at www.greattasteawards.co.uk and can be searched by region, award or product category.