MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou has launched a new Mediterranean-inspired gin with Ulverston’s award-winning Shed One distillery.
Irina, who is a Greek chef based in Cartmel, has been working with Shed One co-owner and founder Zoe Arnold-Bennett to create Yiayia Gin, a London dry gin, has been many months in the making with Irini and Shed One co-owner and founder, Zoe Arnold-Bennett, joining forces to source, try, test, and taste botanicals that would evoke the flavours and aromas of Irini’s homeland of Crete.
Irini and Zoe’s creation is a fitting homage to the strong women who influenced Irini’s culinary journey. Yiayia, which translates as grandmother, is a term of endearment and respect and conjures memories of comfort, love, and food to Irini.
Irini, who won MasterChef in 2019, said: “My Yiayia Irini was hospitable and a feeder, and Yiayia Stavroula was tender, warm, and generous. Grandmothers are valued and revered figures, passing on life lessons, treats, and wonderful memories. Yiayia is truly loved by all.”
Yiayia Gin features vine, fig, olive, and lemon leaves, rose pelargonium, seaweed, mushroom, and oregano, for a savoury emphasis that pairs well with the classic juniper.
Irini knew of Shed One’s range of award-winning gins prior to working with Zoe, and had used their Chilli Fest Gin as an alternative to ouzo to flavour the prawns in one of her recipes.
However, it wasn’t until she joined a group of friends on a make your own gin experience at the old calf shed distillery that she realised Zoe could create something special to remind her of home.
Zoe added: “When we told Irini about our Ulverston Gin, which was made by foraging botanicals from around the local area, we could see her eyes light up! So began the process of Irini collecting and drying various botanicals for me to experiment with and we both loved the rich savoury and citrus flavours of what is now Yiayia Gin.”
