Rich Haul of Great Taste Awards For North East Food Producers

North East food producers have excelled themselves at this year's Great Taste Awards in London by winning no fewer than 36 gold, silver and bronze certificates in the prestigious competition to find the country's finest food.

Twelve producers from County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear between them struck gold 15 times for a wide range of produce which included beetroot, fruit cakes, fudge, sticky lemon puddings, ice cream, sausages, bacon and beef jerky.

Sandy Duncan, General Manager of Northumbria Larder, the regional food agency which represents the bulk of the North East entries, said today: "Once again, our local food producers have proved they are up there with the best of them. The competition was very keen with over 4,500 food products being judged by a team of 12 experts from the food world. It's a great result for the North East. "

Bob Farrand, National Director of the Guild of Fine Food Retailers, who organise and host the event, said: " The Great Taste Awards reflect what is happening in the fine food halls, delicatessens and farms shops throughout the UK, and we have tasted some fantastic gourmet delicacies from all over the world. "

The overall winner of the competition was Woodcock Smokery's Irish wild smoked salmon. The best speciality food from Northumbria award, sponsored by Northumbria Larder, was Baby Beetroot in Raspberry Red Wine Vinegar, made by James Ross & Son Limited, of Newcastle, with the reserve award going to Burtree House Farm, of Darlington, for its Sticky Lemon Pudding with a Tangy Lemon Sauce.