A Co Down chef has won a top prize in what is known as the 'Grammys of the sandwich world', or 'The Sammies'.
Gary McDowell, Head of Food Innovation at Deli Lites Ireland Ltd, claimed the accolade of Sandwich Designer of the Year at the annual British Sandwich & Food to Go Industry Awards.
The creation, entitled 'Make a Pig of Yourself' was designed by Gary for the Warrenpoint based food company and left judges mouths-watering.
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Combining pulled pork, vintage cheddar, sea salt and black pepper creamy rice, spinach, Bramley apple and chilli salsa, crispy onion and pork crackling all wrapped up within a Mission Foods sage & onion tortilla and then deep-fried, it’s not hard to see why the judges were so impressed.
Jim Winship, director, of The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association said: “What we tasted at this event were no ordinary sandwiches…with ingredients like duck confit, mashed potato, cronuts and bacon and banana (together) our chefs are pushing the boundaries of creativity within everyone’s favourite everyday dining staple. We’ve tasted some truly tremendous sandwiches!
“Gary’s creation demonstrated an astute understanding of flavour and texture combinations and deep-frying the sandwich gave it a wonderful crispness while really adding to the depth of flavour. It was delicious.”
Organised by the British Sandwich & Food to Go Association the winners of this year’s Sammies, were announced just in time for British Sandwich Week which begins on 22 May.
This year’s entries were unwrapped, sampled, and judged by a panel of industry experts which included celebrity chef Theo Randall, sandwich guru Max Halley and industry heavyweights James Newton-Brown (M&S) and Marta Pogroszewska (Gail’s Bakery).
Winners were revealed by Theo Randall and comedian Jo Caulfield during a gala evening at the Royal Lancaster, London.
Jim continued: “The Sammies is always a highlight in the calendar, and it is also a precursor to the annual British Sandwich Week, a seven-day celebration aiming to support the industry and celebrate the nation’s love of a good sarnie. Some say, with all the events at this time of year, that it’s sandwich season in the industry. Yet, we like to think that sandwiches are in season no matter what the time of year!”
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