Great Taste remains a major part of the Guild of Fine Food’s drive to encourage, promote and discover delicious food & drink. The world’s most trusted and respected award-scheme, Great Taste products are recognizable by the little round black and gold logos found on jars, packets and bottles on retail shelves across the globe.
During the pandemic in 2020 – a smaller team of 144 judges still managed to taste and assess a record-breaking 12,777 entries over 14 weeks of remote and socially distanced judging sessions. Food critics, chefs, restaurateurs, retail buyers and cooks used the lockdown to carry on supporting food and drink producers to give constructive and helpful feedback.
2021 has proved even more important for producers to get recognition for their food or drink, with many new innovative start-up brands launching during lockdown. From April to June 2021, Great Taste judges sampled 14,113 entries from 103 countries in 86 days, across four judging locations. The winners were announced in September.
Ireland & Northern Ireland are well known for their vibrant artisan food and drink scene, and IFEX once again has partnered with The Guild of Fine Food to bring you a unique opportunity to meet and taste Ireland’s award-winners all in one place at the Great Taste Market. Special mention to Northern Ireland producers, Hannan Meats for its Sugar Pit Bacon Rack, Lisdergan Butchery’s Murley Mountain Rack of Lamb and Millbay Oysters from Rooney Fish in Newry, Down. Irish producers; Ballyhoura Apple Farm for its Glazing Syrup, Carlingford Oyster Company for Louet Feisser Select Carlingford Oysters and Wexford preserve for its Seville Marmalade – all of whom were awarded 3-stars and nominated for a Great Taste Golden Fork.
The Great Taste Market at IFEX 2024 includes a collection of food & drink stalls, ranging from bakery products, tea, coffee and gins and so much more. Visit the Great Taste Market and remember to look out for foods wearing the black and gold logo - the sign you and your customers can trust when buying food and drink!
IFEX is a fabulous showcase for small producers and the Guild of Fine Food are keen to support the show once again with a Great Taste Market. Northern Ireland’s and Irish makers have an impressive track record in Great Taste, testament to the innovative, well-made and quality food and drink produced by people who care about their products.
- John Farrand, Guild of Fine Food
