DORSET based Capreolus Fine Foods is celebrating after being awarded the coveted ‘Champion Product’ prize for its guanciale by the Taste of the West awards.

The family-owned artisan charcuterie producer, that specialises in air-dried and smoked meats, won a number of titles, making it the only food producer to have ever won 10 out of 10 awards.

David Richards, a partner in Capreolus Fine Foods, based in Rampisham, said: “The west country is full of remarkable food producers, and to have our product named the best of them is a massive honour. “We’ve been bowled over by the plaudits we’ve won this year.

“This is far and away the most special of them all and it’s testament to the amazing efforts of our team’s hard work in the smoke house.”

The Taste of the West is the leading food and drink organisation in the South West.

The competition seeks to promote the region’s hard-earned reputation for producing world-class food.

Mitch Tonks, Champion Product Judge 2013, said: “It’s not often you come across products as good as those from Capreolus Fine Foods. “Curing meat is an art, and success depends on the finest raw ingredients, technique and the guidance of a producer with impeccable good taste all the way through production. “I think Karen and David Richards are the finest charcuterie producers in the UK right now and they produce a truly wonderful artisan product. “The guanciale is the best thing I’ve tasted this year.”

In September, Capreolus was awarded 10 Gold medals in the 2013 Taste of the West Product Awards, having entered 10 products into the awards, with nine Cured Meats Gold awards, and a tenth Gold in the hard-fought ‘Bacon’ category. John Sheaves, chief executive of Taste of the West competition told the Dorset Echo: “I am astounded by the level of consistency achieved at such a high standard of quality.

“This is a small producer who has perfected their art in a way that we are not used to in this country.”

He added: “The guanciale is a product with a continental feel, but produced in Dorset. “It has got to be tasted by anyone interested in good food.

“It is an absolute gem and I am just so proud that it has been produced in the south west.”