Essex family's pork of the town

GREAT Garnetts Farm has gone one better than last year by securing two gold stars at the prestigious Great Taste Awards 2009.

Recognised as the 'Oscars of the food industry', awards are only given out by expert judges to producers who are passionate about their goods and have a dedicated commitment to top quality tastes and textures.

Garnetts, situated in Barnston, struck gold twice for their fresh pork sausages and pork joints.

Delighted owners Jonathan and Julie Smith said: "We were thrilled to win an award in last year's Great Taste Awards, but to win two awards this year was beyond our wildest dreams.

"We are so pleased to receive both these awards. It is a terrific achievement for everyone in the team, from the pigmen through to the delivery drivers.

"It is everyone's attention to detail and relentless enthusiasm that has proven that we can consistently keep our production to the highest standards and rub shoulders with he best of them in the food and drink industry."

Mr Smith added: "It's unbelievable really, 10 years ago we were just a pig farm selling a few pigs to a wholesaler and now, according to a very distinguished panel of judges, we are producing some of the finest tasting pork and sausages in the country."

The Great Taste Awards, which is organised by the Guild of Fine Food, is now in its 16th year and is thought to be the most rigorous of tests for food producers.

Judges this year included Blur bass player, farmer and writer Alex James, TV chef Mark Hix, and winner of BBC show Masterchef, Thomasina Miers.

Great Garnetts Farm breeds, rears and butchers all their own pigs, manufacture sausages, dry cure and smoke their own bacon. Products are available online at www.greatgarnetts.co.uk, at the farm shop in Bishops Green or at selected local butchers.