High Barnet restaurant's curry paste wins Golden Fork award

The Hung Lay Curry paste, developed by the team at High Barnet restaurant Farang, has received a Golden Fork award at the Great Taste Awards. The accolade recognises the paste's authentic Thai flavour and high-quality ingredients, as reported by Ham & High.

Sebby Holmes, founder of Farang, launched his brand Payst in 2023. The range includes curry pastes, dipping sauces, and stir fry sauces, available online and from the restaurant's larder in Highbury Park. The Hung Lay Curry paste was specifically awarded the Golden Fork in the Rest of the World category at the ceremony held at Battersea Arts Centre.

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Rigorous Judging Process

The Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, received 15,000 entries this year. The Hung Lay Curry paste was selected from 306 products that had already achieved a three-star rating. It underwent three rounds of judging before earning the Golden Fork.

Judges Dhruv Baker, Ixta Belfrage, and Jose Pizarro commended the paste for its expert balance and the use of top-quality ingredients. They described its taste as having a "genuinely homemade" feel and an authentic Thai profile, noting that the aromatic paste was properly cooked, offering convenience without sacrificing quality. The balance of sweet, savoury, fruit, and aromatics was highlighted as being precisely correct.

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Restaurant's History

Farang, a name derived from Thai slang for a foreigner, began its trading journey in 2015 when Sebby Holmes started selling food at London street food markets from his car. He established the Highbury restaurant as a pop-up a year later, and it has since become a recognised establishment in north London, earning positive reviews and a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its good value neighbourhood cooking.

John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, commented on the difficulty of achieving an award at Great Taste, stating that "Sixty per cent of products do not achieve any star rating, and at just two per cent of all entries, the 3-stars are rare as hen’s teeth." He added that this year's awards demonstrated a continued elevation in quality, celebrating outstanding products globally.