Emma Winners of Great Taste Golden Forks 2023
A spreadable mixed-milk cheese from Greece has taken the title of Supreme Champion at this year’s Great Taste – crowned as the best of all the 14,195 products entered into the accreditation scheme in 2023.
Roussas Dairy’s Galotyri PDO cheese, a pasteurised sheep and goats’ milk cheese is made in Attica by a family business.
Among the other Golden Fork winning products announced were Belazu Ingredient Company’s Sour Cherry Molasses, Confit Duck Legs from Irish supplier Silver Hill and a Pistachio Ice Cream made by Mauds in Northern Ireland.
All the Golden Forks were selected from a pool of 248 food & drink items that had already won the top 3-star Great Taste award. After the main judging process, which spanned 89 judging days from March to June, the 3-stars were all re-judged to determine who would win the trophies.
Also announced at this evening’s ceremony, another nine producers were awarded coveted Golden Forks, as follows:
Great Taste Golden Fork for England: Belazu Ingredient Company for Sour Cherry Molasses
Great Taste Golden Fork for Wales: Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co. for Wye Valley Mead Traditional Mead
Great Taste Golden Fork for Scotland: Loch Fyne Oysters for Loch Fyne Kinglas Fillet
Great Taste Golden Fork for Northern Ireland: Mauds Ice Creams for Pistachio Ice Cream
Great Taste Golden Fork for Ireland: Silver Hill Duck for Confit Duck Legs
Great Taste Golden Fork for Spain: Fino for Dark PX Balsamic Vinegar
Great Taste Golden Fork for Italy: Caseificio Il Fiorino for Cacio di Afrodite
Great Taste Golden Fork for the Rest of Europe: Bagoila for Cold Pressed Pumpkin Seed Oil
Great Taste Golden Fork for the Rest of the World: DoYouBo for Naturally Brewed Brown Soybean Soy Sauce
Great Taste Startisan of the Year: La Maritxu for La Maritxu Basque Cheesecake
Finally, the Nigel Barden Heritage Award went to The Newt in Somerset for its Ice Cyder and food author Silvija Davidson was given the title of Guild of Fine Food Contribution to Food & Drink.
Celebrating its 30th year, Great Taste 2023 saw 4,088 entries granted a 1-star, 1,568 a 2-star, and 248 – less than 2% – were given a 3-star accreditation.
This year also marked the launch of the Guild of Fine Food’s bursary programme, which saw 50 micro producers given the opportunity to enter Great Taste free of charge. Among them, 21 won an award, and two – Karobi’s Ghee and Antur Brew Co. – were awarded the coveted 3-star award for their items.
