Soil Association Organic Food Award Winners 2009

14 September 2009

The Soil Association Organic Food Awards 2009, sponsored by Highland Spring, were judged by an expert panel of over 60 chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and nutritionists, alongside names such as Donna Air and Livia Firth. A three day tasting marathon of over 600 entries was hosted at the Duke of Cambridge in London, the UK's only organically certified pub. The awards are open to all certified organic producers.

Hardeep Singh Kohli, BBC presenter, presented the awards to the winners – which span 12 categories – on Friday 11 September at Bordeaux Quay, Bristol [1] in celebration of Soil Association Organic Fortnight and on the eve of The Organic Food Festival. [2]

Hardeep Singh Kohli, who presented and helped judge the awards, said:
“I was blown away by the quality of the entries. It was a real privilege to help judge the awards - such inspiring people producing incredible food. You can definitely tell when something has been produced with passion and love.
"Organic is massively important to the future of food and farming and it’s crucial that more people understand the benefits. I would like to see the organic movement go from strength to strength and I fully support the Soil Association with their brilliant work.”

Sally Stanley, marketing director of Highland Spring, said:
“Highland Spring is thrilled to be supporting The Soil Association Organic Food Awards for a third year. The awards highlight the quality and innovation of the UK organic market.
"Organic produce remains a popular choice for consumers looking to ensure the food and drink they purchase is of the highest standard for themselves and their families.
"As the producer of the only bottled water to come from certified organic land in Scotland and the first ever UK producer to have its land certified as organic, this sponsorship is a perfect fit for Highland Spring and further strengthens our long-standing relationship with The Soil Association.”

The Soil Association Organic Food Awards, now in their 21st year, showcase the very best in quality organic food and drink and highlight the imaginative and successful way in which individuals, and their companies, are contributing to the resurgence in organic, local and seasonal food. Behind each of the 600 entries there are stories of dedicated producers whose total commitment to quality is reflected in the flavour of their food and whose entries make these awards possible.

Judging in all categories was by blind tasting and all products were judged on taste, smell, texture and appearance. [3]

Ends

For more information contact Clio Turton, Soil Association press office coordinator 0117 914 2448 / cturton@soilassociation.org

Notes to Editor:

[1] Bordeaux Quay is a cookery school & restaurant on Bristol harbourside which uses local, seasonal, organic and sustainably produced ingredients: http://www.bordeaux-quay.co.uk

[2] Find out more about the Soil Association Organic Fortnight and The Organic Food Festival online:
http://www.soilassociation.org/fortnight.aspx
http://www.theorganicfoodfestival.co.uk/2009

[3] A full list of winners, highly commended and commended products is available on the Soil Association website: http://www.soilassociation.org/foodawards.aspx

Winner contact details, categories and key quotes:

Baby, infant & children's Food
So Baby Ltd, Fruity Oat Pot
Sarah Larkin: 01829 772555 / info@so-baby.co.uk
"It tastes as good as you'd make yourself. Full of flavour."

Baked Goods and Flour
Daylesford Organic, 7 Seed Sourdough bread
Beth Sames: 020 7259 4900 / beth.sames@daylesfordorganic.com
"Superb crust, dramatic top split, best thing was the clear flavour of the pumpkin and the fact it was proved in the basket."

Beer and Cider
Duchy Originals, Ale
Meg Elvin-Jensen: 020 88316812 / meg.elvin-jensen@duchyoriginals.com
"Bloody good! Wonderful, delightful. Unfurling happy notes, excellent balance."

Cakes, biscuits, confectionery and desserts
Doves Farm, Wholewheat Digestives
Claire Marriage: 01488 684 880 / cmarriage@dovesfarm.co.uk
"Clean, deep nutty flavour. Crunchy yummy. 'Real' good quality ingredients. I can really taste the grain."

Cereals
Pertwood Organic Cereals Ltd, Porridge Oats
Tamara Mole : 01985 217770 / tamara.mole@pertwood.co.uk
"Goldilocks perfect! Good, normal, well textured porridge. Creamy - this is how porridge should be. Great Oats, excellent nutty flavour."

Dairy
Woodlands Park Dairy, Sheep Milk Live Yoghurt
Crispin Tweddell: 01202 822687 / sales@woodlands-park.co.uk
"Fabulous, I want to eat the whole bowlful. Nice balance with a lemony flavour. Creamy not heavy with a fullness from the sheep's milk."

Fruits & Vegetables
Riverford Organic Vegetables, Mini Cucumber
Vitha Shepard: 01803 763194 / vithashepard@riverford.co.uk
"Delicate, sweet and melts in the mouth. Fresh and crunchy."

Meat & Fish
Langley Chase organic Farm, Lamb
Jane Kallaway: 01249 750095 / post@langleychase.co.uk
"Well butchered, tender, sweet lamb and essential grassland taste."

Non alcoholic drinks
Hampstead Tea London, Earl Grey Leaf Tea
Rachel Manley: 0207 4319393 / info@hampsteadtea.com
"Gourmet's Earl Grey with extraordinary cleanness and balance."

Prepared Foods
Taste Matters, Hot & Spicy Black Bean Dip
Alex Morritt: 0208 8112555 / info@tastematters.co.uk
"If you made this at home you would be pleased about it!"

Store cupboard staples
Sun and Seed, Raw walnut butter
Sasha Popovic: 07944 777201 / info@sunandseed.com
"Good quality fresh nuts, simplicity in a bottle. Finger licking good!"

Wine & Spirits
Vinceremos Organic wines, Crozes Hermitage 'Contreforts Du Delta'
Jem Gardener: 0113 2440002 / jem@vinceremos.co.uk
"Text book Crozes Hermatage with joyous aromas of raspberry, malt, chocolate and white pepper. Palate sings with firm tannins, lovely fruit and beautiful balance."