EASTPORT, Maine — Raye’s Down East Schooner Mustard received a gold medal, and the company’s Sea Dog Mustard won a bronze medal at the 2012 World-Wide Mustard Competition.
Karen and Kevin Raye, proprietors of the historic Eastport mill, were notified by Barry Levinson, curator of the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wis., that Raye’s Down East Schooner mustard once again earned top honors in the Classic American Yellow Mustard category. Raye’s Sea Dog Mustard, made with Sea Dog beer, took the bronze medal in the Spirited Mustard category.
The medals are the latest in a long line of honors and accolades for the Eastport-based company, which operates the nation’s only remaining traditional stone-ground mustard mill.
The World-Wide Mustard Competition is held annually with the world’s leading mustards competing for honors. Raye’s Down East Schooner Mustard has medaled in the competition every year since 2006 — winning six gold medals and one silver medal. In all, Raye’s Mustard has won more than 45 national and international awards in recent years.
“We are thrilled to bring home the gold again this year, and to win a bronze in the spirited mustard category,” Karen Raye said in a recent press release. “As a small family business, we and our hardworking employees take pride in the quality of our small-batch stone-ground mustards.”
“These medals are a testament to four generations and 112 years of our family’s continued commitment to the authenticity that is our claim to fame as America’s last traditional stone-ground mustard mill,” said Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Eastport, who serves as president of the Maine Senate, and marked the occasion by distributing jars of the award-winning mustards to his Senate colleagues.
“We are very excited to have this worldwide recognition for a great Maine product and our partnership with Raye’s Mustard,” added Fred Forsley, CEO of Portland-based Sea Dog Brewing.
A working museum, Raye’s Mustard Mill is North America’s only remaining traditional stone-ground mustard mill, using a process developed in Europe during the Middle Ages. Kevin and Karen Raye are the fourth-generation of Rayes to own and operate the mill, which includes the Pantry Store, a full-service gift shop and take-out business. Free tours are available. For information, visit www.rayesmustard.com or call 800-853-1903.
Congrats !
Another exceptional world recognized Maine business !
It’s excellent food! I buy it for all my libster friends.
Go to Eastport for either the 4th of July or Pirate Days….Really fun! While you are there buy a case of assorted mustards that will last until next year. The tour is very interesting and the folks that work there are great.
Good stuff…
have 2 jars in my frig at all times. Good Stuff!!!
Raye ought to stick with mixin’ mustard instead of politics! Just saying!
Be a “Raye” of sunshine,” don’t “POUPON” Kevin, he’s a pretty good guy.
Very clever. Thanks for the smile.
Congratulations to this Maine- owned company.
Raye’s mustard is the only mustard we serve at our house! Congrats to a fantastic product!
Nice to see a Maine company excel. I’ll restock my frig soon I promise. Seadog sounds yummy.
We love Rays!!! I always buy 6 kinds. At work we share a catalog. We order once a year! GO MAINE!
Ray’s is great stuff. I always have several varieties on hand. As mentioned I can not wait for this years pirate festival. Last year was AWESOME. Took my grandson and went on a pirate ship ride in the am and a whale watching trip later both where great. Also there is a FABULOUS Greek place there now and a great pastry shop across the street as well. I already have costumes for this year…
Now that is what I call “Cutting ‘da mustard”, ya’ undastand ME?