Denhay Farms, the multi award-winning makers of the best tasting Dry-Cured British Bacon and traditional farmhouse cheddar will be celebrating its latest award – Three Gold Stars in the Great Taste Awards and nomination for the Great Taste Awards “golden forks” Best Speciality from the South West on stand number 755/j.

Denhay Bacon is made from outdoor reared, British high-welfare pork using a recipe which has been perfected by Denhay and one which is consistently presented with awards. Each side of pork is dry-cured, matured and smoked over beech wood and one added ingredient (not listed on pack) is time.

“Denhay Bacon is described by many people as tasting as bacon used to taste and we believe that the time taken to make each pack of bacon is an essential part of the story. The flavour of our bacon is subtle and distinctive and Denhay Streaky in particular has a very loyal following making it a favourite with retailers,” said George Streatfeild of Denhay Farms.

Denhay also produces spoiltpig bacon which is again full of traditional flavour; made from pork reared to RSPCA Freedom Food animal welfare standards, spoiltpig appeal to consumers who are looking for reassurance and credibility in the food they purchase.

Denhay has also won many awards for its Farmhouse Cheddar which is made using traditional skills and techniques to produce an authentic, savoury tasting Cheddar.

“It’s good to be back at Speciality in the Taste of the West area we are looking forward to catching up with buyers and retailers that we’ve known for years and introducing Denhay to a new audience of people who haven’t yet tried our products,” said George.

Judges at the Taste of the West Awards on November 10th recognised the consistent flavour and texture of Denhay as they pronounced Denhay’s Smoked Streaky – the Best Bacon in the six counties of the South West.

Presenting the Award Nigel Barden, of Radio 2’s Foodie Thursday fame, read out the judges’ comments which included; “Please don’t change a thing, this bacon has been perfect for many years, keep doing exactly what you are doing!”

The latest award from Taste of the West has been added to the 75 awards already given to Denhay Dry Cured Bacon which is made from high welfare British Pork and hand rubbed with sea salt. This traditional and time honoured method produces bacon which crisps beautifully, tastes succulent and does not leak white liquid as it is cooked.

Ellen Streatfield, a third generation Streatfeild and self-confessed bacon lover said about the latest award; “Everyone at Denhay is thrilled – we all take huge pride in every pack of our Bacon and each time we win an award it’s a real boost to the team. From the person who chooses the sides of pork to the person who packs the boxes to send the Denhay Bacon out, we are committed to quality – and we will keep doing exactly what we do best. It seems to please the judges!”

Commenting on the win, Director George Streatfeild said “We are delighted to have won so many awards in the National Cheese Awards and are particularly proud of the Gold we have won for our Mature Denhay Block. This is the cheese we supply to Waitrose for both its deli and own brand section, and we have been really pleased with the positive customer comments we have received.”

Denhay also won a Silver award for its Dorset Drum and for the Dorset Drum’s packaging and Bronze for the winter-made Traditional Cheddar, winter-made Block Cheddar, Mature Block in the Open class and for an identical pair of Dorset Drum cheeses.

Made using only milk produced by Denhay’s five herds which graze the Marshwood Vale, the winning Mature Farmhouse Cheddar is an example of time honoured cheese making skills coupled with high animal welfare.

There were more than 850 cheeses at this year’s National Cheese Awards, which is the second largest cheese show in the UK, the largest number of cheeses shown in the show’s 130 year history. The Royal Bath & West show started in 1777, but it wasn’t until 1880 that the society became directly involved in butter and cheese making. The Society established schools on carefully selected farms during the summer months and the pupils lived on the farms. The actual showing of cheese was a 20th century idea.

Made from British outdoor reared pork and dry cured in sea salt, Denhay’s dry cured smoked streaky bacon is all about taste. The bacon, which is traditionally made by rubbing salt into the pork and leaving it to cure and mature, is also available in unsmoked and smoked back and unsmoked streaky.

Commenting on the award George Streatfeild, MD of Denhay Farms says; “We are delighted to have won the Taste of Excellence Award for outstanding flavour as this backs up the messages we receive from our customers who email us with comments such as ‘I have never tasted bacon like it – thank you’ and ‘Am I in a time warp? – Bacon that smells like bacon used to smell years ago. And the flavour ... sublime!!!’ To have this industry Award is so important as it just underlines that we are right to stick to our guns and concentrate on taste backed up by animal welfare.”

Introducing Dorset's Famous Five

Five producers, all based in Dorset, have joined together in the spirit of friendship to form a group called the Dorset Famous Five! The first meeting was held in the warm atmosphere of a Dorset pub over a supper of local produce, as all the best meetings are, and the group was formed right there and then!

In alphabetical order they are; Clipper Teas, Denhay Farm, Dorset Cereals, Hall & Woodhouse and Olives Et Al, and if a hamper of produce was put together from the Dorset Famous Five it would represent some of Dorset’s best loved, award–winning food and drink.

“We are a small group of food and drink producers – and we all got together because we like the way we fit! We all like a really tasty cup of tea or a great pint of beer. We like flavours from around the world but prefer them to be connected with our local area if they possibly can be. We love Dorset and the fun to be had here. So Dorset Famous Five was born and here we are.”.

It is planned that the Dorset Famous Five will be out and about at food festivals and shows, using the combined team to introduce and sample; beers inspired by the countryside, kiln roasted nuts and hand marinated olives made great at home in Dorset, cereals and bars filled with fruit, nuts and crunchy seeds, award-winning farmhouse cheddar and fair-trade tea by the mug full.

A new web site has been built www.dorsetfamousfive.co.uk where friends can sign up to stay in touch and to find out what the Dorset Famous Five is up to! To find out more call Joanne Myram on 01935 389497 or email joanne@positivepr.co.uk

Denhay Farm brings spoiltpig bacon to Bristol and Bath
21st July 2009

spoiltpig bacon, produced by Denhay Farms, the multi award-winning makers of the best tasting Dry-Cured Bacon, is being introduced to people in Bristol and Bath at a time when more and more consumers are becoming aware of animal welfare issues.

spoiltpig is made to traditional methods and is dry cured by hand using sea salt. Denhay’s knowledge and skill in producing bacon has resulted in the Company winning awards each year – a total of over 38 medals since 2000 of which 22 were Gold - from the Country’s top food award schemes.

May 27 - 30: The Royal Bath and West Show at Shepton Mallet. Denhay Farms will be offering customers the chance to sample and buy spoiltpig bacon and spoiltcow cheese. For more information and to book tickets, please click here.

August Newsletter
July Newsletter

Denhay Bacon Now Available In Tesco
1st October 2008
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Denhay Farm recognised for Conserving the Countryside
15th September 2008
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A Cut Above. Where to Source the Finest Cured British Pork
Extract from Tom Parker Bowles' Column, MoS
17th August 2008
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