Pogue Mahone Pickles Wins National Good Food Award
Austin picklers also acclaimed by colorful Irishman
By Kate Thornberry, 4:30PM, Tue. Jan. 29, 2013
"Winning the award was definitely part of why I was asked to be student speaker,” says Addison, “I graduated with high honors, of course, but also the school wanted to present that there are other career paths open to culinary graduates besides working in a kitchen. Such as starting your own business!”
This is the third year the (very prestigious) Good Food Awards have been handed out in San Francisco, recognizing outstanding achievement in “tasty, authentic, and responsibly produced” food products. This year, several Austin businesses received awards, among them Addison’s Pogue Mahone Pickles, which are sold at the Cedar Park, Muelller, Barton Creek, and Lakeway Farmers' Markets.
At present, Pogue Mahone makes three varieties of cucumber pickle: Fresh Dill and Garlic, Jalapeno Mint, and Ginger Habanero. It was the Jalapeno Mint that won a Good Food Award in the Craft Pickle category.
“Of all my pickles, I was the most skeptical about the Jalapeno Mint,” admits Addison. “A better name might have been Fresh Jalapeno, because there is just enough mint to give the pickles a splash of freshness. But I have been selling out every weekend at every market everyone loves them!”
The company name comes from one of Addison's early business encounters. Addison’s website states: “A wonderful Irishman once told me, 'These are the best damned pickles in the world. Anyone who disagrees can pogue mahone!'"
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Virginia B. Wood, Nov. 29, 2012
Artisan Food products, Pogue Mahone Pickles, Sam Addison, Good Food Awards