One of Donegal best-known food products has emerged as a real rising star on the Irish food and international food scene.
The already famed Donegal Rapeseed Oil will be proudly displaying a coveted 2 Gold Star Great Taste 2012 logo after being judged by a panel of 350 of the nation’s most discerning food experts over 45 days.
Donegal Rapeseed Co. Ltd. is located in Raphoe and is growing from strength to strength both in reputation and qulaity of product.
“We are a small, locally owned and operated company in Donegal. All our rape seed crops are grown locally by specially selected, individual, small farm holdings dispersed throughout the area, on soils that are unique to this area and are not found anywhere else on the island of Ireland.”
To achieve Gold in Great Taste is significant for any food or drink producer and results are eagerly awaited. The scheme, run by the Guild of Fine Food, has been described as the epicurean equivalent of the Booker Prize and in 2012 a total of 8,807 different food and drink products were entered.
Donegal Rapeseed Oil is the only pure rapeseed oil in Ireland to win 2 Gold Stars this year. “We knew from last years 1 Gold Star that we had the potential to do better and this year we proved it. It’s always good to see other oil producers doing well but we believe we are at the elite end of the market, one step ahead of the competition.”
The management of the local producers attribute the oil’s great taste to their highly skilled farmers and growers, the local soil and the unique north west climate.
“The oil has been tried and tested, but being a natural product we don’t have a huge influence over how the eventual product is going to taste; it’s all down to nature and the agronomy skills of our farmers here in Donegal. We are now aiming for the Golden Fork Award, the highest accolade in fine food and drink arena.”
Judges this year included Masterchef winner and restauranter Mat Follas, restaurant critic and Masterchef judge Charles Campion, food writers Lucas Hollweg and Xanthe Clay and over 300 food buyers from leading food halls, delicatessans and farm shops, including Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason.
Call to see us at this year’s A Taste of Donegal Food Festival this weekend from 24th until 26th August. We look forward to seeing you there.
Donegal Rapeseed Co., Ltd. Tel: 00353 74 9145386 or email them at info@donegalrapeseedoilco.com
Web: www.donegalrapeseedoilco.com
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