Great Taste Awards

Last September, 5.5 million listeners heard CHRIS EVANS talk to GREAT TASTE AWARDS GOLD-STAR WINNING PRODUCERS on his BBC RADIO 2 DRIVETIME SHOW. Over 30 million consumers read about gold-star winning food and drink in newspapers and magazines and tens of thousands got to taste them at food exhibitions throughout the country. Many also met producers at GREAT TASTE LIVE theatres at REAL FOOD FESTIVAL and BBC MASTERCHEF LIVE and thousands bought from shops, food halls, markets, exhibitions and the TASTE GOLD MARKET in Cardinal Place, London last November.

Coveted black & gold-star GREAT TASTE stickers 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, the GREAT TASTE AWARDS 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

For 2010, over 6000 products were judged over an intense two-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 eight experts, often 16 taste, discuss and agree. For two- or three-stars, up to 20 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 6th, the most extensive promotional campaign in support of Great Taste Award winning foods will kick off.

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.

Relive the excitement and emotion when last year's Supreme Champion was announced.

See who won last year: Major Winners 2009 | Winners 2009