Mayo butchers wins coveted Great Taste Three-Star Award for lamp rump

Calvey’s of Achill Island have earned one of the highest accolades in the food industry, receiving a prestigious three-star Great Taste Award for their Achill Mountain Salt Marsh Lamb Rump in a Rosemary, Garlic and Sea Salt Marinade.

Judged by a panel of over 500 experts for the Guild of Fine Food, the marinated lamb rump stood out among 14,340 products from 110 countries, following a rigorous blind tasting process. Only 273 products were awarded the coveted 3-star status, which recognises 'extraordinarily tasty food and drink'.

Described by judges as a “delicious and joyful experience” and “properly lamby”, the meat impressed with its depth of flavour and balanced seasoning. The marinade, made from rosemary, sea salt, garlic and olive oil, brings out the unique character of the salt marsh lamb reared by the Calvey family on Achill Island on Mayo’s west coast.

Gráinne Calvey, master butcher with Calvey’s Achill Mountain Lamb, shared her excitement:

“We are thrilled to have won a Great Taste award for our Salt Marsh Lamb rump. The marinade was inspired by the wild garlic growing where our lambs graze. I foraged the wild garlic myself. It grows all around us here on Achill.

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“We have longed for this moment and are so proud to be adding the prestigious black and gold Great Taste three-star badge of honour to our product range. Our father, Martin Calvey, started our journey back in 1962. To be where we are today is truly a dream come true.

“Everything is done here on our farm — from rearing the lambs to processing and butchering. We’re one of the few family farms in Ireland with our own on-site abattoir, allowing us to promote, market and sell our products directly from the source.”

Founder, Martin Calvey, said: “Being recognised with a Great Taste three-star means so much to independent producers like us. It makes all the hard work throughout the years and determination worth it. Great Taste is the most recognised accolade for taste and quality in the food and drink industry, so it’s a huge milestone in our story.”

To celebrate, Calvey’s are offering a limited release of their award-winning Achill Salt Marsh Lamb Rump, available in a range of weights online at www.achilllamb.ie or in person at the Achill Lamb Farmstore in Keel, Achill. For more information, contact Gráinne on 098 43158.