We're on the map

I'm trying very hard to keep abreast of the social media/internet marketing wave. There is so much that I "really should be doing". I could well do this full time and give up on the sourcing and selling of stock. It doesn't quite fit with the business plan though. So instead I spend my commute thinking about what I need to do next and trying to do it between customers. Its pretty slow going. One leap forward recently was that we got our own little marker blob on google maps. I made a google places page a long time ago, and fixed a marker exactly on top of the shop. But up until now didn't have a personalised google marker on the map. I'm not sure why it suddenly appeared. But it has, and I like it. So that's good enough for me (and something I can tick off my to do list with no additional effort).

Great Taste Awards 2011

It's that time of year again, when food producers hear the results of their "oscars"; The Great Taste Awards.

Once again, it has been a great year for the products available at Tastes Delicatessen! You can read about who won awards in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in my previous blog posts. And here are this year's winners.

......drum roll....

Three Stars
7482 products were entered, 114 of which were awarded the much coveted "wow you've got to try this" three stars. This included Lewis & Cooper's delicious Handmade Plum Pudding (which will be making a repeat appearance at Tastes this Christmas), Salcombe Dairy Stem Ginger Ice Cream which has been popular here all summer long (although I suspect would be more popular had we actually experienced some summer sunshine) and Beet It Beetroot juice by James White Drinks Ltd. In the herbal infusions category both Three Fennel Organic Herbal Tea from Pukka Herbs and Teapigs Pure Lemongrass tea were awarded three stars.

Two Stars
608 products were awarded two stars and this included:
Luscombe's Organic Hot Ginger Beer.
Teapigs Tung Ting Oolong Tea, Darjeeling Earl Grey, Liquorice and Mint AND Peppermint Leaves teas.
Pukka Three Ginger Organic Herbal Tea.
Wessex Cobber Bread Flour from Wessex Mill.
Lewis & Cooper Handmade Luxury Fruit Cake.

One Star
Teapigs were awarded even more awards, with one star for English Breakfast, Mao Feng Green Tea, Green tea with Mint, Jasmine Pearl Green Tea, Chamomile Flowers and Rooibos Creme Caramel.
Other award winners include:
Pukka's Detox Organic Herbal Tea.
Campbell's Single Estate Loose Tea.
Luscombe Farm Organic Sicilian Lemonade.
Olives Et Al Kiln Roasted Harrisa Almonds and Captain Tiptoes Chilli Harissa Nuts.
Brindisa Tortas de Aceite Traditional.
Gluten Free Plain White Flour from Doves Farm.
Chocolate Peppermint Creams from Summerdown Farms.
Strawberry with Balsamic Jam from Henshelwood's Fine Foods.
Jules & Sharpie's hot mint jelly.
Rhubarb Chutney from local preserver Susie.
Raydale Preserves Goats Cheese Lovers Fig & Honey Chutney and Strong Cheese Lovers Tomato & Chilli Chutney.
Tracklements Strong Horseradish & Cream, and Chilli Jam.
Copas Traditional Gravy with Cracked Black Pepper.
Mike's Smokehouse Smoked Duck.
Fish4Ever Anchovies in Organic Olive Oil.
Ortiz Bonito del Norte.
Tim's Dairy Greek Style Natural Yoghurt.
Mouthful Foods Pea & Mint Soup.