Morrisons takes top title at British Turkey Awards

Morrisons was crowned retailer of the year at the 2014 British Turkey Awards, with judges “unanimous” in their verdict the supermarket had done most to promote the meat.

Victory was clinched by the “fresh and appealing” look of Morrisons’ year-round offer, according to judges, encouraging consumers to make turkey a staple of the weekly shop. The supermarket also picked up the coveted Best Christmas Traditional Product title.

See also: Top tips for successful turkey production

In total, 12 awards were made from more than 150 products entered, with retailers and food service giants dominating the winners. One independent farming business, Adlington, was awarded best ready-to-eat product for its turkey breast stuffed with ham and wholegrain mustard. Owner Rod Adlington said he and his team were “over the moon” to be recognised alongside the larger retailers.

The awards were presented by British Turkey Foundation chair Paul Kelly and comedian Patrick Kielty at a black-tie evening in the ballroom of the Savoy Hotel. A spokesman for the event said £2,515 was raised for Dravet Syndrome and more than £12,000 was raised for children’s charity Sparks.

Judges were encouraged by the range of each supermarket’s turkey offering, with Asda commended for its World-Cup themed packs, geared to getting shoppers cooking at barbecues.

Overall, Sainsbury’s scooped the most categories, with its Norfolk Black free-range turkey parcel, winning Best Innovation Christmas.

As in previous years, a student chef won the honour of designing the dinner. Jessica Marshall of Hull College won with her golden saffron potato surprise with a blanket of rice, topped with fried spinach and spiced turkey batons coated in pomegranate reduction, with ground pistachios encased, surrounded by a crab apple and blackberry jam sauce, with poached rose water rhubarb. Poultry World can report it was delicious.

British Turkey Awards role of honour

Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Zoetis)

• Morrisons

Best Meal Solution (sponsored by Hybrid Turkeys)

• By Sainsbury’s thigh joint with a herb and cranberry crumb

Best Christmas Convenience Product (sponsored by Securcom)

• Sainsbury’s turkey breast and thigh joint with pork, cranberry and apple stuffing, topped with cranberry and apricot

Best Christmas Traditional Product (sponsored by Easichick)

• Morrisons fresh whole turkey

Best Christmas Premium Product (sponsored by Clarke Group Construction)

• Asda butcher’s selection blue slate whole turkey

Best Innovation Christmas (sponsored by ABN)

• Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Norfolk Black free-range turkey parcel. Layered with chestnut, maple and thyme stuffing, cranberries and wrapped in oak smoked bacon

Best Innovation All Year Round (sponsored by ABN)

• Asda Chosen By You turkey minifillets with brie, cranberry sauce and bacon

Best Foodservice Product for Cost Sector (sponsored by Noble Foods)

• The UK Foodhall ready to roast British turkey breast

Best Foodservice Product for Profit Sector (sponsored by Noble Foods)

• Mitchells & Butler – Toby Carvery – carvery turkey crown

Best Ready-to-Eat Product (sponsored by Calor)

• Adlington roasted turkey breast stuffed with ham and wholegrain mustard

Foodservice operator of the year (sponsored by Coveris)

• Mitchells & Butler – Toby Carvery

Best Blogger Recipe (sponsored by Red Tractor)

• Foodycat Alicia – Turkey B’stilla

Student Chefs of the Year (sponsored by Aviagen Turkeys)

• David Pullin, of South Staffordshire College, for his Oasis of the Middle East turkey bonbon, yellow split pea hummus, shredded turkey thigh in Moroccan-style chutney, saffron couscous, Arabic flatbread shard and mint yoghurt dip.
• Jessica Marshall of Hull College for her golden saffron potato surprise with a blanket of rice topped with fried spinach and spiced-turkey batons coated in pomegranate reduction with ground pistachios surrounded by a crab apple and blackberry jam sauce with poached rose water rhubarb.