Henley producers romp home with Great Taste Awards
Henley food & drink producers have romped home with a sack full of the Guild of Fine Food Great Taste Awards. Henley-on-Thames is firmly on the map for having outstanding local producers and products, and awards like this just rubber stamp that fact.
Great Taste is the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme where food or drink products are put to the test with a panel of over 500 experts which is a quick way to get honest, straightforward and impartial feedback from chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers. Whether the product receives a 1-, 2- or 3-star accolade, Great Taste stars are highly respected seals of approval.
On the podium shouting out proudly for Henley are 3 Oaks Orchard, Pavilion Foods, Henley Distillery, Nettlebed Creamery, Gelato Henley and Bold Bean Co.
Also, a big fat nod to all the other local producers just over the border in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Some of which you may recognise and will see at the local farmers market or on the shelves of local delis: Bray Cured meats, Two Spoons tea, Ozi Lala Honey Harissa, Two Hoots Cheese (Barkham Blue & Barkham Belle), Village Maid Cheese (Maida Vale & Heckfield) , Organico Real Foods, Copas Traditional Turkeys Honey, Miyoung Kimchi and Tea People.
Henley Great Taste stars awarded to:
*** Three Stars
3 Oaks Orchard – Pure Apple Juice
3 Oaks is a small, family owned and run orchard in Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames. In total they have over 1,000 trees – 18 varieties of apple, five varieties of greengage and pear, and four varieties of quince. Plus the odd cherry, fig and medlar.
You can buy this delicious fruit and award-winning juice at the farm gate or The Henley Larder in Bell Street.
Pavilion Foods – Signature Classic Dry Gin
Created alongside the Master Distiller from Henley Distillery this is a refreshing and contemporary dry gin.
Caraway, Cardamom, and pink pepper give a beautifully aromatic and complex spicing, balanced with a fresh hand of peeled lime zest and a hint of orange.
** Two Stars
Nettlebed Creamery- Bix Cheese
Winner of Best Soft White at the British Cheese Awards, Bix is fast becoming a British classic.
Luxurious and complex, this triple-cream cheese is prized for its indulgence. Bix aficionados find it very hard not to finish one in a single sitting.
Nettlebed Creamery- Witheridge Cheese
Witheridge has the strength of a mature cheddar, but the sweetness and umami notes of an Alpine cheese. It will hold its own on any cheese board.
The hay in which it is aged lends grassy notes to the rind as well as keeping the cheese beautifully moist.
The Henley Distillery – Henley Gin Classic Dry
A contemporary twist on a London Dry, this award-winning signature sipping gin elegantly builds on the familiar juniper foundation as citrusy flavours blossom from orange peel, kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass; warmth flickers from bold Szechuan peppercorns before mellowing with the deep, rich notes of cardamom and vanilla-like tonquin beans to create a smooth, refined balance.
Pavilion Foods – Classic Fish Pie
One of only 3 fish pies to achieve 2 stars, The Pavilion Foods classic fish pie has been described as ‘outstanding’ by the Guild, with the judges particularly loving the generous pieces of well-cooked fish and the little kick of mustard in our creamy sauce!
Led by Head Chef Tania, The Pavilion will be busy getting fish pies ready for the deli counter this Friday, so if you’ve not yet tried this award winning fish pie – now is the time to give it a go!
* One Star
Nettlebed Creamery – Highmoor Cheese
This washed-rind cheese is a plump delight. Mild with a brothy savouriness, it pairs well with everything from a pale ale to a glass of red.
It’s best eaten at room temperature. It melts brilliantly too and can be found in their delicious cheese toasties at The Cheese Shed.
Bold Bean Co – Queen Red Kidney Beans & Queen Lentils
Beans to brag about, each bean variety is suited to different growing conditions, they source their beans from the best possible climate for each one.
Bold Beans are heirloom… AKA ancient varieties of beans which prioritise FLAVOUR over yield. They’re the best beans from each harvest, specially selected for quality.
Gelato Henley – Honeycomb
Locally crafted with silky swirls of Henley’s tastiest honey. Gooey gorgeousness and crunch.
The Henley Distillery – Henley Rhubarb & Orange and Henley Oriental Spiced Gin
In just over year The Henley Distillery has garnered many industry awards for their superb gins distilled in traditional copper pot stills on open flame burners. Additionally, Head Distiller Jacob Wilson is constantly creating global award-winning spirits for brands, big and small across the UK
The Henley Distillery | Creators of Hand Crafted Artisan Spirits
