Quality Irish produce was once again recognised on an international stage as Dunnes Stores Simply Better took home 20 awards at the prestigious 2018 International Great Taste Awards. Winning a coveted 3 Star Award was the Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade Irish Smoked Trout Pâté, created in Co. Wexford by Zanna Cookhouse exclusively for the Simply Better Collection.

The Simply Better Collection, which is Dunnes Stores’ premium food brand, is one of the most successful food labels in Ireland with over 350 national and international awards since it was established in 2013, which is the most awards of any Irish food brand.

Established in 1994, the Great Taste Awards, often described as the “Oscars of the food world”, are internationally recognised as the benchmark for fine food and drink. This year over 12,000 products were blind-tasted by a panel of industry experts, including acclaimed chefs, restaurateurs and food critics, to find the best tasting entries. After a rigorous taste test, less than 3% of all products are awarded the coveted 3 Stars, which gives the product an “Exquisite! Wow! Taste That!” rating.

Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better Brand Manager, said, “We are delighted to work with Owen, Lorna and David Mullins of Zanna Cookhouse, based in Co. Wexford, to source our Simply Better Handmade Irish Smoked Trout Pâté, and we are thrilled for this fantastic product to be recognised with 3 Stars. The pâté is made using Irish smoked trout farmed by Mags Kirwan on Goatsbridge Trout Farm in Co. Kilkenny, where the naturally clear waters produce a Rainbow Trout with exceptional flavour. This is then gently combined with Irish cream cheese, crème fraiche, lemon and dill for an award winning Taste.”

Speaking about their win, Owen Mullins from Zanna Cookhouse said, “To be recognised with such a prestigious Great Taste Award is a dream come true, and something that would not have been possible for a small producer like ourselves without the support of the Simply Better team. We are proud to collaborate with people who are as passionate about quality Irish food as we are. The collaboration has opened up so many doors for us, allowing our business to grow and has given us the opportunity to share our quality products with customers across Ireland. It has also given us the opportunity to bring new products to market seamlessly, working with other great Irish food producers like Goatsbridge Trout Farm.”

Also recognised at these prestigious international awards were Miena’s Handmade Nougat, Skeaghanore Duck and Seery’s Bakery who all won 2 star awards for the products they produce for the Simply Better collection.

All 3 Star winning products, including the Simply Better Handmade Irish Smoked Trout Pâté, will be put forward for the much sought after Great Taste Golden Fork Awards which will be announced in September.

All of the award winning products which are part of the Simply Better Collection are available in selected Dunnes Stores nationwide. For more information on the Dunnes Stores Simply Better

Collection visit www.dunnesstores.com or on social media – @simplybetterds.