Prize for tea smoked salmon

The judging panel sampled 36 products from the 18 shortlisted food businesses, which included Associated Seafoods Ltd, Baxters Food Group and BrewDog Ltd. 

Christopher Leigh, Director at John Ross Jr, collected the award, which was presented by Colin McLean, Chief Operating Officer at Scotmid Co-operative Foods.

On receiving the prestigious award Leigh commented: “We knew we’d developed something special prior to launching the product, however the feedback we’ve received from customers both within the UK and overseas has been overwhelming. Our aim is to create Scottish smoked salmon products where the flavour of the smoked salmon is enhanced as opposed to piggybacking on the latest trends. With our Tea Smoked Salmon we’re confident that we’ve achieved that and this national recognition confirms it.”

Cured and smoked in traditional red brick kilns listed by Historic Scotland and dating back to 1857, John Ross Jr’s Tea Smoked Salmon with Lapsang Souchong Tea is delicately smoked over a blend of tea and smouldering oak chippings for 24 hours.