Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the Great Taste Awards are known as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’.
They are a respected benchmark of the best food and drink currently available in shops and markets across Great Britain.
There were 12,777 entries into Great Taste this year and of those products, 205 were awarded a 3-star, 1,294 received a 2-star and 3,818 were awarded a 1-star accolade.
The panel of judges this year included cook, writer and champion of sustainable food, Melissa Hemsley; cook, writer, stylist and voice of modern vegetarian cooking, Anna Jones; celebrated Spanish chef, José Pizarro; Kavi Thakrar from Dishoom; food writer and cook, Xanthe Clay; and baker and author, Martha Collison; as well as food buyers from Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Waitrose.
This year’s winners have been found through a combination of remote judging and socially distanced judging sessions, after lockdown began just one week into the schedule.
From handmade chutneys to farmhouse butters, we’re delighted that a number of Local Food Britain members from Surrey, Sussex and Kent have once again enjoyed success at this year's Great Taste Awards.
Surrey
Stoneleigh Estate Honey by Jam Packed Preserves – two star
Mum's Tamarind Chutney (sauce) by Mandira’s Kitchen – two star
Orange and Gin Chutney by Mandira’s Kitchen – two star
Blackcurrant Extra Jam by Jam Packed Preserves – one star
Tipsy Seville Marmalade (coarse cut) by Jam Packed Preserves – one star
Moruga Brainstrain Chilli Jam by Jam Packed Preserves – one star
Pineapple Chutney by Mandira’s Kitchen – one star
Keema Mattar (Lean Mince Curry) by Mandira’s Kitchen – one star
Speciality Artisan Alfajores by Margot & Montañez – one star
Cheese & Marmite Sausages by Priory Farm – one star
Pork & Marmite Sausage Roll by Priory Farm – one star
Sussex
Sussex Charmer Cheese by Bookham Harrison – one star
Kent
Farmhouse Butter by Plurenden Manor Farm – one star
Surrey Life Food & Drink Awards 2020 finalists announced
Local Food Britain has been a keen supporter of the Surrey Life Food & Drink Awards since they were first launched in 2013.
As with Great Taste, 2020 has provided a number of challenges that have meant the format of the awards has had to be tweaked to fit this most unusual of years and sadly there will be no gala dinner for this year’s finalists.
That said, we’re delighted to see a number of Local Food Britain members in the running again, including Flower Farm Shop, Secretts of Milford and Village Greens Farm Shop in the Best Farm Shop; Bramble Farm Turkeys in Food Producer of the Year; Distillers of Surrey and Silent Pool Distillers in Drinks Producer of the Year; McLaren Fine Foods in Best Local Food/Drink Delivery Experience; and Eden Greens Urban Farm in Sustainability Initiative Award.
The winners of these prestigious Surrey awards will be announced in the December issue of Surrey Life magazine. Best of luck to all!
Stay Loyal To Local campaign
Of course, food and drink isn’t just about awards and you can find out how Local Food Britain farmers, growers and producers have been helping their communities through our Stay Loyal To Local campaign.
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