The Guild of Fine Food has announced the products and producers recognised in the Great Taste 2025 list following judging of a record 14,340 products from 110 countries.
The North East is represented across the three award categories and is led by Makan Sauces, which achieved three stars for its Rendang – Malaysian Curry Paste; Tom Walker & Sons with its Montagnolo Affiné from Germany; and Vanillaguys’ Grade A Bourbon Madagascan Vanilla Pods.
Two-star accolades have also been presented to – Doddington Dairy for its Doddington, Berwick Edge and Cuddy’s Cave cheeses; Fika Coffee Roasters for its Wilder Lazo Washed Pink Bourbon; Kaylee’s Café & Bakery for its Steak, Ale & Mushroom Pie and its Pork & Black Pudding Scotch Egg; Morwick Dairy for its Salted Liquorice and Pistachio Rocher ice creams; Northumberland Spirit Company for its Blacksmiths Oak Aged SP; Northumbrian Pantry for its Blackcurrant Jam with Juniper; and Travelling Bee Company for its Scottish Heather Honey, Scottish Flower Honey and Honey Bee Pollen.
For the full list of accolades, visit www.gff.co.uk
Great Taste has been recognised as the most influential food and drink accreditation scheme in the world for more than 30 years. 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, just a factual description provided by the producer as guidance. The judges consider flavour first, followed by appearance, aroma, texture and mouthfeel before it is determined whether the product warrants one of the black and gold seals of approval.
In total, 39.6% (5,680) of entries received an accolade. There were 3,899 one-star awards, 1,508 two-star awards, and just 273 three-star awards (1.9% of all entrants).
Written evaluations from the judges are shared with the producers for every product and the 2025 edition of the awards saw entries from Algeria, Belize, East Timor, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Rwanda, Serbia, Seychelles, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkmenistan and Zimbabwe for the first time.
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, said: “Great Taste continues to play its part in international food and drink diplomacy. While the world is in slight 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 among 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 have been entered into a further round of judging to establish nominations for the Golden Fork trophies, which recognise products among the best in the world. The Golden Forks will be announced at Battersea Arts Centre in London on September 9, when the Supreme Champion product for 2025 will also be revealed.
