OWNERS of U Goose Lucy and Herb Mackenzie have added a feather to their cap.
The couple have been recognised as the NSW State Winner of the 2016 Delicious Awards for their Whole Dressed U Goose.
Lucy Mackenzie said the pair were absolutely chuffed to have won their first award for their poultry products.
"We really wanted the recognition for geese as a desirable protein, what people usually assume about geese is that it's a tough meat and all they do is hiss at you from the paddock.
We want people to have a go and not die wondering," she said.
Located in Llangothlin, outside of Guyra, U Goose is the only fully integrated goose meat operation in Australia.
Lucy Mackenzie went to New England Girls' School where she met her partner in business and in life Herb at a country party.
"It all grew from there, Herb and I complement each other really well, we're an awesome team," she said.
Both from agricultural backgrounds, the decision to work together in farming was almost organic.
All was going to plan until the pair were forced to look outside the box after a three year drought hit the property hard.
They decided on goose meat production as a complementary avenue to the large cattle and sheep operation they ran on the farm as it was not weather relient.
The two were nominated for the award by leading Australian chef Neil Perry as U Goose products are supplied to all of his Sydney restaurants.
The business also supplies to ARIA restaurant, Icebergs and others.
Mackenzie said the success of the product has much to do with their on-site processing and unparalleled fresh taste.
"Taste above all is what will win people over, often people that have had a bad experience with goose meat won't come back to the product but we're trying to change that.
It's so imperative for us to offer value-added products so that everyone can experience goose meat," she said.
U Goose has also been selected for the 2016 Armidale Business Chamber Awards.
