Sorbet voted Supreme Champion at Great Taste Awards

08-Sep-2008 - Last updated on 29-Nov-2010 at 10:57 GMT

Related tags Ice cream

Beckleberrys Blackcurrant & Kirsch Sorbet beats thousands of products to win the highest accolade in this years Great Taste Awards

A fruit sorbet created by North East-based ice cream and patisserie producer Beckleberry`s has been voted the Supreme Champion in this year`s Great Taste Awards.

A panel of judges, including food critic Charles Campion, chef Mark Hix and ex-Blur guitarist Alex James, decided to award Beckleberry`s Blackcurrant & Kirsch sorbet the top prize in the competition.

In all, the sorbet, made by father-and-son team Ian and Peter Craig, won three awards at the ceremony in London last night: Best English Speciality, Best Speciality from the North East and Supreme Champion.

Beckleberry`s supplies its real fruit sorbets, fresh cream ice creams and hand made patisserie to a number of hotels and restaurants in the North of England from its base in Tyne & Wear.

All of the company`s sorbets are made without artificial colourings and flavourings and use minimal amounts of sugar and glucose. Other flavours include Champagne, Raspberry & Lime, Gin & Tonic and Mango, Chilli & Ginger.

This year, the Great Taste awards organisers, the Guild of Fine Food, awarded 1,124 gold medals to the 4,755 entries. Of the 1,124 gold medal-winners 220 were given two stars and 72 three gold stars. Of the three star gold awards 18 major trophy winners were decided by the Supreme Judging panel.

Bob Farrand, National Director of the Guild of Fine Food said: "Each year, the Great Taste Awards prove the best foods are rarely overcomplicated. Last year’s winner redefined the pork pie and this year, a simple but very special sorbet made from superb ingredients delivered a balance and intensity of flavour that stunned every judge. A worthy winner."

The trophy winners were:

Best Speciality from South West: The Otter Brewery`s Otter Head Beer

Best Speciality from the Heart of England: Walter Smiths` Free Range Streaky Bacon

Best Speciality from the East Midlands: Simtom Food Products` Biryani Curry Paste

Best Speciality from Yorkshire & Humber: Swaledale Cheese Co`s Swaledale Goats` Milk Cheese

Best Speciality from the North East: Beckleberry`s Blackcurrant & Kirsch Sorbet

Best Speciality from the South East: Oddono`s Gelati Italiani`s Nocciola Piemonte Ice Cream

Best Speciality from the North West: More? The Artisan Bakery`s More? Muddees

Best English Speciality: Beckleberry`s Blackcurrant & Kirsch Sorbet

Best Welsh Speciality: Harvies` Pork, Prune & Calvados Pie

Best Scottish Speciality: Ballencrieff Rare Pedigree Pigs` Pork Sausages

Best Speciality from Northern Ireland: Co Couture`s Irish Whiskey Truffle