Smoked black pudding named Supreme Champion at the Great Taste Awards

Hugh Maguire butchers of Meath in Ireland has been named the Supreme Champion at the 2017 Great Taste awards for its smoked black pudding.

Maguire triumphed after over 12,000 product entries were whittled down to a top 50 for the awards organised by the Guild of Fine Food, before an overall winner was crowned.

The finale of this year's journey of recognition was held at the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel, where over 350 guests from the world of fine food gathered to hear the results of many months of rigorous judging.

The winning smoked black pudding is made from fresh pig's blood smoked over beechwood chippings, which produces a "gentle pepper warmth and saliva-inducing aroma" said the Great Taste judges. First generation butcher, Maguire, took inspiration from his travels around Europe and installed a smokehouse at the craft butcher shop upon his return.

John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, explained: "This smoked black pudding really does encapsulate what Great Taste is all about; a simple, rather humble product made using good honest ingredients, with a dash of innovation and well measured twist thrown in to excite the palate. We have seen many smoked products achieve outstanding Great Taste results this year, aside from those going home with Golden Forks, which reflects a wider movement among producers who are embracing this nostalgic way of preserving and cooking to create truly exceptional food."

Other winners on the night included: Mrs Kirkham's for Lancashire Cheese; The Artisan Kitchen for Seville Orange Marmalade; Sandford Orchards for St Louis Dry Hopped Cider; and La Tua Pasta for Handmade Tortelloni Burrata & Black Truffle.

For a complete list of Golden Fork, Supreme Champion details and Great Taste Star winners, visit the Guild of Fine food website.

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pic cap: John Farrand, Ann-Marie Maguire, Steve-Munkley, executive chef, The Royal Garden Hotel, Caroline Maguire and Hugh Maguire

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