Tom Copas and his estate manager Ed Hurford were announced as winners in the Great British Food Awards on October 28.

They won silver for their traditional turkey and bronze for their whole chicken from sister company The Thoughtful Producer.

The awards, which celebrate the best of British artisanal produce, are judged by a panel of celebrity chefs, Michelin-starred restaurateurs, popular food critics, influencers, buyers, and food writers, including Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux, Gizzi Erksine, and Olly Smith.

Tom Copas (left) Ed Hurford (right)Tom Copas (left) Ed Hurford (right) (Image: Teamtala)

The Copas farm, near Cookham Dean, is renowned for its flocks of turkeys and the alpacas who protect them from foxes.

Tom Copas said: "It might sound odd, but the truth is that happy turkey is tasty turkey.

"Turkeys that have grown to maturity with a healthy diet and the freedom to run around in an open field are absolutely going to taste better than turkeys who haven’t had that freedom.

"It’s a great honour to see both our turkey and chicken recognised by the Great British Food Awards.

"We are devoted to raising the highest welfare, delicious poultry in Britain and it’s great to have them independently validated in this way."

The Copas farm's focus on quality and taste through higher welfare and humane animal husbandry practices has been central to their success.

The feedback on the Copas winning turkey endorsed the farm’s ethos and values: "This standout turkey really impressed the judges at the Great British Food Awards.

"With juicy, flavoursome and moist meat it makes for a knock-out centrepiece and would certainly be a crowd-pleaser on Christmas Day.

"We also loved how well packaged it came and the addition of clear, easy-to-follow cooking instructions."

Tom, who regularly gives turkey cooking and carving demonstrations at local events, explained why the Copas turkey is particularly moist and easy to cook.

He said: "Our turkeys are given time to develop a natural, mature bone and muscle structure.

"Because we slow rear to six months old, the birds grow a layer of fat under their skin that makes them easy to cook and taste fantastic."

Readers will be able to test the quality of Copas’ turkeys for themselves at the region’s first turkey tasting of the season at Peach Croft Farm near Abingdon on November 16 from 10am to 2pm where Tom will be giving a turkey carving demonstration.

The event is open to the public and heralds the start of the Christmas season with live music and seasonal decorations with tasty turkey also the centre of attention.