SHIRGAR BUTTER IN TOP 16 AT GREAT TASTE AWARDS

Butter than the rest – that’s a Carmarthenshire produce rated as one of the top in the UK.

Shirgar butter was shortlisted in the top 16 food products at The Great Taste Awards 2015.

More than 10,000 food and drink products were submitted for judging over the course of 50 days, with over 400 judges from the world of food – including chefs, food writers, top retail buyers and professional critics.

The Great Taste Awards represent the pinnacle of success for any food producing business and are recognised both nationally and internationally.

Teams of judges blind-tasted and delivered the accolade every item deserved which resulted in star ratings of 2,382 for one, 597 for two and 130 for three, which was the highest accolade.

The elite three star award winners were resubmitted for a second round of judging which included Charles Campion from The Telegraph and the 2013 Bake Off Champion Frances Quinn, who decided on the top 50 foods.

Their comments on Shirgar butter included:  “Butter doesn’t get much better than this. The butter’s balance of sweet notes and saltiness was likened to alchemy with judges identifying notes of malt and caramel.”

Gower View Foods, based in Cross Hands, manufacture and produce Shirgar Welsh Salted Butter, and were shortlisted into the top 50.

On the night of the prestigious awards ceremony at the Royal Garden Hotel in London Shirgar was submitted into the top 16 products and included on the menu for the evening dinner celebration.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member for business Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “It is great to see Shirgar butter being available once again and being produced in Carmarthenshire.

“This is an iconic brand and the achievement at the Great Taste Awards confirms the tradition of quality produce available in Carmarthenshire. I wish the company every success for the future.”

The butter was originally launched in 1954 and was promoted as a locally made product from the dairy producing area of the Towy Valley.

Production was at the Cow & Gate factory in Johnstown, Carmarthen, before being transferred to the Whitland Creamery prior to its closure in the mid 1990’s.

Shirgar butter is now once again produced in Carmarthenshire using Welsh cream.

MD of Gower View Foods Jon Lewis said: “It is an honour to receive such a prestigious Award for Shirgar traditionally salted butter.

“Since the award ceremony and publication of the top 50 products we have received numerous enquiries.

“It is a fantastic achievement to be shortlisted to the top 16 and is testament to the experienced and dedicated staff at Gower View Foods.”

• The county council provides business support to local food and drink producers visit the website or contact Barry Davies on 01267 242331 email BaDavies@carmarthenshire.gov.uk