The Guild of Fine Food has released the results for Great Taste 2024.
Products made in Northern Ireland have won a total of 164 awards, including 129 x 1-star, 28 x 2-stars and seven x 3-stars, the highest accolade available at this level.
In addition, there were another 11 awards (one x 3-star, one x 2-star and nine x 1-star) given to products entered by Northern Irish companies, but made outside Northern Ireland.
Winners from Northern Ireland of the highest accolade were:
· Great Taste 3-star: Devil's Churn Classic Butterscotch from Seasons of the Glens, Aghinlig Orchard Ice Cider from Applejames Ltd, Ghost Chilli and Black Lime Ketchup from Blackfire Food Ltd, Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil from Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil, Himalayan Salt aged pork rack and Porchetta from Hannan Meats Ltd and Pure Gusto Valentia Espresso Coffee Beans from Pure Roast Coffee (Pure Gusto).
Morelli Ice Cream scooped an impressive five 2-star awards (and two 1-stars) while Burren Balsamics won eight 1-star accolades, Yellow Door got six 1-stars and Kestrel Foods and Dale Farm achieved five 1-stars.
The business that won the most with 10 accolades was Hannan Meats in Moira with two 3-stars, one 2-star and seven 1-star.
Nearly 3,500 companies from 115 countries around the world entered Great Taste this year, between them offering 13,672 products for review. The UK entered 8,008 products from 2,528 companies.
Each entry was meticulously blind-tasted by the Guild’s expert judging panel of over 500 food critics, chefs, recipe creators, buyers, retailers, and other specialists in the field of food and drink. Entries were analysed across 92 judging days, each receiving detailed feedback, whether or not they obtained an award.
Only 1.9% of all entries (266 in total globally, 131 from the UK) received a 3-star award, given to ‘extraordinarily tasty food and drink’. With 10.1%, 1,386 in total globally, being awarded 2-stars, ‘above and beyond delicious’ and 28.8%, 3,938 in total globally, being awarded 1-star, ‘food and drink that delivers fantastic flavour’.
Those that have received 3-stars went on to be judged in a further stage of the competition. The best of those 3-stars from each country or region have now been nominated for a Golden Fork, an ‘Oscar of the food and drink world’.
The Great Taste Golden Fork winners – the best of the best – will be announced in an awards ceremony and tasting at Battersea Arts Centre in London on Tuesday, September 10. The nominees for the Golden Fork for Northern Ireland are:
· Porchetta from Hannan Meats
· Aghinlig Orchard Ice Cider from Applejames
· Ghost Chilli & Black Lime Ketchup from Blackfire Food
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, said: “It’s hugely important to us at the Guild to inject some positivity into the speciality food & drink industry.
"Given the economic headwinds that both independent retailers and small & medium producers are facing, the announcement of the 2024 crop of Great Taste stars is now an annual fillip for us all. And it’s not just excellence from the UK, but from across the world, as we celebrate the best from 115 countries.
"We’re doing our bit for cultural relations across the planet when there is so much legislation trying to prevent it. It’s a real privilege to support and underpin independent makers through the process of Great Taste.”
The awards are globally recognised as a mark of excellence and eagerly sought after by producers and food-lovers alike.
4. Great Taste 2024
Pure Roast Coffee (Pure Gusto) - Pure Gusto Valentia Espresso Coffee Beans 1kg Photo: u