Woburn wins Connoisseur Bacon title

Woburn won the prestigious title for their Woburn Black Back Bacon. The competition – a highlight of Bacon Connoisseurs' Week (16-22 March 2009) – saw 230 entries flood in from 100 companies, including processors, multiple and independent retailers and foodservice suppliers across four categories; Classic Dry Cure, Wiltshire Cure, Speciality Cure and Smoked. Each bacon variety was then tried and tested by an expert panel of judges, led by interior designer, TV personality and face of Bacon Connoisseurs' Week, Anna Ryder Richardson. A total of 12 finalists were picked to attend a special event to mark the launch of Bacon Connoisseurs' Week in London on 16 March, at which the group winners were announced. The additional titles went to: Multiple Retailer/Supplier – Case and Sons with 'Traditional Smoked Bacon' and Independent Retailer – Dukeshill Ham Company with 'Wiltshire Cure Back Bacon'. Presenting the awards, Anna Ryder Richardson said: "The bacon sandwich is something of an institution in Britain but there is so much more to bacon than just mouth-watering sandwiches and the traditional cooked breakfast. Bacon Connoisseurs' Week aims to educate everyone on the variety of gorgeous premium bacons available, and show that bacon is a perfect ingredient for a huge range of dishes for breakfast and beyond, including risottos, spaghettis and frittatas. Keith Fisher, BPEX butchery and product development manager, added: "This country has a long heritage of bacon making and many traditional methods are still used to produce the great bacon varieties we have today. While we can't ignore its role in the breakfast occasion, this year Bacon Connoisseurs' Week aimed to demonstrate the versatility of bacon and the many distinct flavours it can add to a wide range of meals throughout the day."