GELATO from Bridport, sausages from Wimborne, elderflower liqueur from Kingsbury Episcopi and hogget from Gillingham are among the outstanding West Country products to be awarded the top three stars n this year4’s Great Taste Awards, run by the Guild of Fine Food at Gillingham.
They are among the 1.9% of the total record entry of 14,340 products entered for this year’s Great Taste Awards, run by the Guild of Fine Food, based at Gillingham. The world’s most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme attracted entries from 110 countries across the globe. The South West of England entered 1,005 products, 459 of which received awards, 287 1-stars, 145 2-stars and 27 3-stars.
Amongst the regional products awarded stars were:
DORSET
3-stars: Crystallised Ginger Gelato and Mint Choc Chip Gelato from Baboo Gelato (www.baboogelato.com). Cold Smoked Trout from Chesil Smokery (www.chesilsmokery.com). Organic all-butter puff pastry from Dorset Pastry Ltd at Crossways
2-stars: The Blackcurrant Conserve from Boddington’s Preserves (www.boddingtonspreserves.co.uk). Farm Girl Sausages, Pork and Red Onion Sausage from Farm Girl Sausages, Wimborne(www.farmgirlsausages.com). Chococo, based at Wareham, 72% Ecuador Dark Chocolate Gelato and 47% Colombia Milk Chocolate Gelato. 100% pasture-fed hogged from Gutchpool Farm near Gillingham.
1-star: Yuzu Marmalade from The Wasabi Company (www.thewasabicompany.co.uk). Gourmet Burger with Marrowbone from West Country Water Buffalo (www.buffaliciousuk.com).
SOMERSET
3-stars: Apricot Jam, Orange Marmalade, Durslade Lamb Rack, and Part-boned Shoulder of Durslade Lamb (Mock Duck) from Artfarm (Durslade Farm Shop) at Bruton. Somerset Cider Brandy’s Somerset Elderflower Liqueur. Brown Cow Organics’ Natural Kefir Yoghurt from Pilton
2-stars: Angus-cross Hereford flat iron steaks from Artfarm (Durslade Farm Shop at Hauser & Wirth)
Great Taste is recognised as the most influential food and drink accreditation scheme in the world, not only because it was established more than 30 years ago, but also for the robustness of its multi-layered review process. The judging panel of more than 500 industry experts, including chefs, critics, food technologists, retailers, food writers and other specialists, pored over each product over the course of 110 days.
Every entry is judged on its own merit as a standalone product and tasted blind. There is no packaging to give away provenance, no hint of who has made it, just a factual description provided by the producer as guidance. The judges consider flavour first and foremost, followed by appearance, aroma, texture and mouthfeel before it is determined whether the product warrants one of the famous black and gold seals of approval.
In total 39.6% (5,680) of entries received an accolade. There were 3,899 1-star awards, 1,508 2-stars and only 273 products (1.9% of all entrants) received the coveted Great Taste 2025 3-star award.
Written evaluation from the judges is shared with the producers, regardless of how the product has scored, meaning that even if there is room for improvement, constructive feedback can help start that journey.
New countries with products entered this year include Algeria, Belize, East Timor, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Rwanda, Serbia, Seychelles, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkmenistan and Zimbabwe.
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, says: “Great Taste continues to play its part in international food and drink diplomacy. While the world is in chaos, barriers continue to be broken down as our experts assessed entries from over 100 countries. Global trends will become more apparent, but rest assured amongst the list of winners on our directory, you’ll find ingredients and products that should inform your menu, help stock the shelves in store or be a firm favourite in your kitchen cabinet.”
The products awarded three stars this year are entered into a further round of judging to establish nominations for the Golden Fork trophies, which means they are among the best in the world. The Golden Forks will be announced at Battersea Arts Centre, London on 9th September when the Supreme Champion product for this year will also be revealed.
Pictured are two of the three star products – Baboo Gelato’s crystallised ginger gelato and Somerset Cider Brandy’s Somerset Elderflower Liqueur.