Coveted black & gold-star GREAT TASTE labels adorn thousands of speciality foods stocked on shelves and counters in stores throughout the UK and more recently, even as part of a television commercial.

Of all the UK’s food award schemes, GREAT TASTE is the most important. Completely independent and uncompromisingly rigorous, it is trusted by retailers, buyers and consumers. GREAT TASTE is to speciality food and drink what MICHELIN is to fine dining.

Rigorous Judging

In 2012, over 8800 products were judged over an intense four-month period. The Awards’ organiser, the Guild of Fine Food constantly refines the judging mechanics and this year was no exception. Before gold is awarded, a minimum of twelve experts, often 20 taste, discuss and agree. For two- or three-stars, up to 25 judges must unanimously agree an entry has achieved absolute perfection. Over 350 experts including key buyers, retailers, chefs and food writers blind tasted entries to ensure they are fairly and independently assessed. Every entry starts with 25 points and marks are deducted when faults are identified and constructive feedback offers suggestions to the producers how entries could be improved.

Constructive feedback

This year, before any food is refused the gold standard, nine experts must agree it has faults. Professional food writers sit at each tasting table directly inputting comments onto the Awards’ database. These can now been accessed by all producers who entered using their unique log-on and password.

Largest ever consumer audience

Whatever you win in the Great Taste Awards, the potential for publicity and additional sales far exceeds the cost of entry. Once all the awards are announced and all regional and national winners have been presented with their trophies at the glittering Awards night at Fortnum & Mason on September 3rd, the most extensive promotional campaign in support of Great Taste Award winning foods will kick off.

This year saw us identify the Top 50 foods in Britain - all the products nominated for the major awards.  You can read more here.

Throughout the coming year, national newspapers, glossy monthlies, radio and television are provided with a constant stream of award winning foods to taste, evaluate and discuss.

Taste Gold, the Guild of Fine Food’s annual guide to award winning foods will promote your product celebrity chef theatres at more than 80 food exhibitions and festivals around the country. There’s even the opportunity to get your foods used as ingredients during these presentations.

More Taste Gold theatres at major shows will direct more consumers to stores where the now familiar black and gold stickers signify a food or drink really has been independently proven to be the finest.

Major Winners 

 

For more on the 2012 results visit:

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Listen to Nigel Barden talking
Great Taste on Radio 2

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Want to speak to our PR? 
Contact Tortie Farrand 

Want to enter in 2014?  Contact
Charlie Westcar to ensure you
are on our database