John Nickell spent many years in Denmark where he cut his teeth in the ancient art of curing and smoking fish. “The buttery deep flavour of our hot smoked trout leaves its mark, it’s a lasting beautiful taste that makes you want more!” says John.
John smokes his trout and salmon in a very traditional way using an ancient artisan method which gives Blakewell Smokehouse’s multi award winning ‘Hot Smoked Trout’ and ‘Superior Devon Cold Smoked Salmon’ the taste you deserve, he believes. “I truly believe in our products and dedicate a lot of effort and time to get it right.”
Smoking trout and salmon is a long process; it’s time consuming and it simply cannot be rushed. This precise attention to detail results in perfection. Hard work, long hours and a passion for how smoked trout and salmon should taste have pushed John and Blakewell Smokehouse into the limelight, winning this year’s Taste of the West ‘Supreme Champion Product Award’ for their Hot Smoked Trout.
Alongside this prestigious award, the Hot Smoked Trout won Taste of the West’s ‘Champion Fish Award 2022’, and a further three Gold Awards for their Superior Devon Cold Smoked Salmon and Hot Smoked Salmon. Last year the coveted ‘Platinum and Product of the year’ Food Drink Devon Awards were awarded to their delicious Superior Devon Cold Smoked Salmon.
John lives and works at Blakewell Smokehouse in a lovely valley in a fold of North Devon. It’s a family business that he runs with his brothers, Richard and David.
“I have been humbled by these recent awards; however, the recognition is fantastic. The quality mark of Taste of the West is known country-wide and creates a positive sales and promotional drive for us and many other businesses who hold their membership.” comments John.
“It gives customers complete buying confidence and satisfaction when they see the Taste of the West mark of excellence on our smoked trout and salmon products.”
For more information about Blakewell Smokehouse please visit www.blakewellsmokehouse.co.uk. For a full list of all finalists and overall winners in this year’s Taste of the West Awards please visit www.tasteofthewest.co.uk/champions.
Taste of the West’s Hospitality & Retail Awards are still open for entries in 2022. To find out more about entering please visit www.tasteofthewest.co.uk/business/awards. Entries will soon be open for the Taste of the West Product Awards 2023.
