A local food producer has bagged four Great Taste Awards after receiving glowing praise for their 'bold and innovative' popcorn flavour combinations.
Ballasalla-based, PopCornaa led the Manx charge at this year’s awards, which saw 10 Isle of Man food and drink producers walk away with a globally recognised star rating.
The gourmet popcorn maker was one of two local businesses to receive a coveted three star rating for its vegan seaweed, wasabi and soy flavoured treats, alongside Ballacosnahan Farm’s Manx Loaghtan chorizo.
Organisers said they only award three stars to “extraordinarily tasty” products.
Owner, Emily Tse, said:
'I am absolutely thrilled to receive a three star rating for what the judges called an innovative and thoroughly enjoyable flavour combination.
'Entering the market with a bold new take on a humble snack was a huge risk, but I believed deep down that the market was ripe for contemporary inspiration, evolving the traditional, commercially produced popped corn snack into something that’s magical with every bite. This award is inspirational and ignites my passion to continue pushing hard for what I believe in.'
Clare Barber MHK, Minister for Environment Food and Agriculture, said:
'It is fantastic to see so many local producers do so well. The awards provide a quality benchmark for the industry and raise the profile of winning products to new audiences around the world.'
The 20 Isle of Man products to receive stars were:
Three Star
- Ballacosnahan Farm - Manx Loaghtan chorizo
- PopCornaa - Vegan seaweed, wasabi and soy popcorn
Two Star
- PopCornaa - Caramel popcorn
- Ballacosnahan Farm – Chorizo and Manx Loaghtan salami
- Isle of Man Meats - Sirloin roasting joint
- Red Mie - Manx Loaghtan merguez sausage
- Isle of Man Salt Co - Salted caramel sauce
One Star
- PopCornaa - Chocolate orange popcorn, vegan caramel popcorn
- Choccy Piccy - Dark hot choccy blend
- Lush Bakes - Elna’s lush-free cinnamon rusks and Elna’s Milk Tart Rusk
- Isle of Man Meats - Antibiotic free Loin of pork, shoulder of lamb
- Paddys Hooked on Fish/Robinsons - Manx beetroot smoked seatrout
- Andreas Meat Company - Manx dragon sausages and Manx spicy Cumberland sausages
- Okells Brewery - Okells NECTAR
- Red Mie - Original hot sauce
