Bravo, bravo, BRAVO! The food and drink producers who won gold stars in the Guild of Fine Food Great Taste Awards 2014  have just been announced. And sweet and savoury food and drink products made with damsons have won several of these precious gold stars.

There’s an entry from Ireland, namely, WIld Food Mary’s Damson Vodka.

There’s a damson jam with the stones left in (a minimally processed jam, perhaps, and one with the hint of almond from the damson stone … I’m guessing).

There’s a ‘Damson Port Liqueur’, a new category to me that sounds deliciously rich.

There’s a damson vinegar, one of the finest fruit vinegars you can make and taste, and one that that can easily square up to the finest balsamics from Modena.

Then there’s ‘Damson Daize’, a non-alcoholic drink, now an award-winning drink, made by one of our very own Shropshire-based damsonistas, Tish Dockerty, from Appleteme. Well done, Tish! You’ve done the Shropshire Prune damson proud.

Here is a list of the damson winners, along with a link to their website (if available).

Three Star Winners

Damson & Sloe Gin Ice Cream, made by Just Rachel Quality Desserts

Damson Port Liqueur, made by Raisthorpe Manor Fine Food Ltd

Two Star Winners

Damson Vodka, made by Wild Food Mary

One Star Winners

Damson Gin, made by Alder Tree Ltd

Damson Cheese, made by Just Williams

‘Damson Daize’, made by Appleteme

Sweet Damson Vinegar, made by Stratta

Damson Jam (includes fruit stones), made by Rosebud Preserves

Damson Extra Jam, made by Cottage Delight

Damson Fruit Cheese, made by The Sweetmeat Company

Congratulations everyone. Let’s hope your awards bring in excellent sales and well-deserved recognition.