DORSET is represented healthily on a list showcasing some of the world's top food and drink released this week.

The winners of the 2023 Great Taste Awards were announced on Monday, July 31 and sees more than 14,000 products from 109 countries assessed.

The prestigious awards are organised by the Guild of Fine Food, with Dorset businesses winning more than 70 prizes this year - with six of those being an ultra-rare three stars.

Now in its 30th year, organisers say it is the largest global accreditation scheme for food and drink. 

Great Taste splits up entries into one, two and three star products; the latter described as 'exquisite' and 'extraordinarily tasty'.

Firms which were awarded the coveted three stars were:

  • Charcuterie business Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd, based in Rampisham, for its 'Dorset Coppa' meat. 
  • Hollis Mead Organic Dairy, from Corscombe, for its Hollis Mead Organic Truffled Benville, said it was 'very proud' after judges described the product as ‘beautifully ripe and creamy with full on buttery loveliness'.
  • Dorset Pastry Ltd, based in Dorchester, also said it was 'so proud' to be awarded three stars for three of its items: Organic Fine Puff Pastry, Premium Fine Puff Pastry and Premium Shortcrust Pastry.
  • Angel Cottage Organics, from the small village of Fifehead Neville near Sturminster Newton, picked up three stars for its Organic Whole Chicken.
  • The Wasabi Company, of Dorchester, boasts three stars for its Sansho Spiced Rum.
  • And Woodlands Dairy Ltd, based in Blandford Forum, was awarded top marks for its Organic Sheep Milk Yoghurt.

Businesses which were awarded two stars were:

  • The Dorset Dairy Co, based in Stalbridge in the Blackmore Vale, for its Dorset Strained Yoghurt (Strawberry and Whole Milk flavours).
  • The Cherry Tree, from Bridport, represents the west Dorset market town on the list for two of its preserves products: Cherry with Amaretto Extra Jam and Passion Fruit Curd.
  • Chococo, a chocolate company based in Holton Heath near Wareham, was given two stars for its Colombia Oat Milk Chocolate Gelato. 
  • Baboo Gelato Ltd, which has a HQ in Rampisham, picked up two stars for its Lemon Sorbet.
  • Pub owners Hall & Woodhouse, from Blandford St Mary, won two stars for its Outland Milk Stout.
  • Dorchester's Dorset Pastry Ltd features again on the two-star list for its Premium Sweet Shortcrust Pastry.
  • While Rampisham charcuterie experts Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd is also recognised again for three more products: Tingler salami, Smoked Mutton and Smoked Pancetta.
  • Cattistock-based The Dorset Sauce Company Ltd won two stars for its Béarnaise
  • And The Real Cure Ltd, which is based in Shaftesbury, picked up two stars for its Truffle Salami.

Businesses which were awarded one star were:

  • Holton Heath's Chococo features again as one-star winners for four more products: Colombia origin milk chocolate, Ecuador origin dark chocolate, Black Forest Gateau and Tawny Port & Fig.
  • Blandford St Mary's Hall & Woodhouse is recognised again for its Badger Master Stoat Coffee Stout.
  • Black Cow Vodka, based near Beaminster, west Dorset, is awarded one Great Taste Star for its Pure Milk Vodka.
  • Black Ven Distillery Ltd, from Lyme Regis, is recognised with one star for its Dark Rum.
  • Rampisham-based Baboo Gelato features again for four more products: Blackcurrant Ripple Gelato, Blood Orange Sorbet, Elderflower Sorbet and Vegan Chocolate Gelato.
  • Winfrith Bakery, from Winfrith Newburgh, is awarded one star for two items: Damson & Sloe Gin Mince Pie and Green Olive & Lemon Sourdough bread.
  • Meanwhile, Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd features once more as the Rampisham charcuterie firm picks up a star for five more products: Dorset Air-Dried Beef, Dorset Chorizo, Dorset Guanciale, Dorset Rosette salami and its Uphall Farmhouse Air-Dried Ham.
  • Purbeck Ice Cream, based in Wareham, is awarded one star for its Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate Bar with Natural Orange.
  • Ajar Of, a preserves company from Sturminster Newton, for its Five Fruit Marmalade.
  • Corfe Castle Spirits LTD is awarded a star for its Gloriette King's Cut Gin.
  • Reads Coffee Roasters Limited, from Sherborne, features for its Limekiln Espresso.
  • Meggy Moo's Dairy, from Blandford, was given a star for its Semi-Skimmed Milk.
  • Dorset Shellfish, from Portland, has one star for its Mixed Crab Meat.
  • Stalbridge's Dorset Dairy Co has one star for two products: Original Drinking Kefir and Strawberry Drinking Kefir.
  • Independent Weymouth-based Lizzie Baking Bird is recognised on the one-star list for its plum eccles. Owner Lizzie Crow said: "It’s a really big deal for a small producer aka one woman band, to be given recognition by the guild of fine food."
  • Symondsbury's Sea Sisters Limited features on the one-star list for three items: Cuttlefish in Ink, Salt Pollock and Smoked Rainbow Trout.
  • The Wasabi Company, of Dorchester, features again as it is awarded one star for its Shiso Gin.
  • Bridport's The Cherry Tree is recognised by judges once more for its Sweet & Spicy Garlic with Nigella Seeds Pickle.
  • And the Open Air Dairy, based in Littlebredy, near Dorchester, is given one star for its West Country Mature Cheddar.