Here are our comments from the judges:

Indian Tikka Masala Curry Paste – 2 stars:

This has a nice sweet, fruity base to it which balances the warm, roasted spices in the garam masala. There is also a good amount of heat from the chilli and cayenne. Overall, a well-balanced paste that was delicious with chicken.

This curry paste has lots of lovely, exciting and lively spicy aromas. The spices have been very well balanced, with a good warmth coming from the chilli and a gentle sweetness. With just enough acidity to give it lift and plenty of aromatics, and life from the coriander and other spices, this is an impressive paste that would be a great cheat product in the kitchen!

A rich and authentic looking paste with a punch in aroma. The coarseness and texture of this paste allowed it to really coat the meat it was served on, penetrating it with flavour. Complex and pleasant warmth on the palate - this is a lovely and authentic curry paste. A good depth in flavour and sense of freshness is applauded by the judges. One can depict each spice, but they also marry really well too.

Korean Bulgogi Sauce – 1 star:

An appealing, caramel-coloured piquant sauce, with a lovely glossy sheen. An even distribution of finely chopped vegetables and sesame seeds add interest to the texture. A perfect consistency for a marinade or glaze. There was a pleasant sweetness to the nutty, spicy aroma. The flavours were well balanced and had great depth and a lasting finish.

We prepared this as a stir fry using strips of beef. We detected elements of heat and fruitiness on the nose, but on the palate this produced a variety of interesting and complex flavours. The spices used all tasted well-selected and cooked - each is well balanced with the others, evolving in the mouth and producing a complexity that delivers heat, which at no point intrudes harshly nor does it overpower the delicate sweetness and subtle traces of fruit and nut. Very clever and we feel authentic too.

Thai Coconut Lemongrass Dressing – 1 star:

Your dressing certainly has a wonderful tangy sweet aroma of wine, vinegar and garlic. The texture gives the impression that it will dress foods and salads very well indeed. The flavour notes of sweet honey, garlic and lemongrass are good, but the garlic appears a little harsh and raw in its flavour delivery, so have a look at this aspect. The lemongrass works well with the other flavours and appears fresh and refined on the palate. The warming chilli heat has been well judged and doesn't overpower.

A pale and pretty dressing with vibrant flecks of herb and pepper to add texture, taste, and visual appeal. Smooth and silky, the dressing has emulsified well. Notes of fresh aromatic lemongrass and toasty coconut are both present, however, the vinegar acidity dominates the overall flavour adding more than just a tang. The chilli heat is variable as to whether or not you hit upon a chilli seed. There are little bits of chilli skin that add an unwelcome texture in such a smooth dressing and bring a slightly bitter note with them. This dressing has so much potential - the character of the lemongrass is spot on with its citrus notes and fragrance and the coconut lends a lovely richness. The balance could be addressed to reduce the acidity and a gentle fruity warmth added from the chilli and you could elevate this product even more.

Thai Red Curry Paste – 1 star:

This is very aromatic curry paste with a lively lime and lemongrass aroma. The ingredients are well balanced with plenty of life and aromatics coming from the lemongrass. There is a sweetness and spice from the chilli and then the lime adds a fruity acidity to keep the flavours bright. This would be a more than acceptable cheat to making a great curry.

This is a rich and aromatic paste. The smoky chilli, lemongrass and basil really come through in aroma and taste. A fresh and warming paste that is not too spicy - in fact it was thought it be medium heat - it could be hotter. Clean and fresh on the palate finishing with the subtle kaffir. A versatile home use paste.

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