The Great British Food Awards: championing Britain’s best retailers and artisans

What can you expect?

The Great British Food Awards were launched in 2014 to showcase the country’s most delicious home-grown ingredients, as well as the hard-working folk who produce them. This year, the awards are bigger and better than ever, with lots of brand new categories and amazing celebrity judges, as well as an overall ‘Grand Champion’ award judged by Ocado.

The judges

From TV and radio favourites such as drinks expert Olly Smith and MasterChef judges John Torode and Monica Galetti, to some of the most esteemed chefs in the country (Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr, Nathan Outlaw, Simon Rogan) and accomplished bakery, café and farm owners (Elly Curshen, Tim Hayward, Jimmy Doherty), our stellar judging panel cannot wait to try your products!

So if you’ve ever wondered what John Torode would make of your artisan gin, or would like to receive Eric Lanlard’s feedback on your confectionery, this is your chance to find out.

What’s new this year?

It’s impressive to see how fast an industry can change; in the last year alone, veganism has taking the UK by storm and more than 3.5m Brits now identify themselves as vegan. We’ve also noticed some marked developments across the British drinks market, with a whole host of delicious non-alcoholic options launching since 2017’s Great British Food Awards – many infused with some of the finest fruits and flowers around including rhubarb, damson, elderflower and even British aronia berries.

British spirits have also experienced a resurgence over the last year, with the production of British gin in particular continuing to sky-rocket. What’s more, many producers across the country are now also creating top-class vodka, rum, vermouth and wine to a standard that rivals their European counterparts.

In light of these changing trends and demands, the Great British Food Awards 2018 have introduced eight exciting new categories:

Butcher’s Counter (sausages, burgers, bacon and more)

English Spirits (vodka, whisky, liqueurs, rum and more)

Non-alcoholic Drink (fruit juice, cordials, tonic and more)

Store Cupboard (quality raw ingredients, from flour and sugar to oil and vinegar)

Ready Made (ready meals, cooking and stir-in sauces, kitchen shortcuts etc)

Subscription Box (meal kits, veg boxes, snack kits, monthly delivery schemes)

Free From (food specifically suitable for those with intolerances)

Healthy Boost (food, drinks and ingredients made for healthy living)

The rest of the categories include:

Fresh Meat (meat or poultry in its purest form – steaks, whole birds, joints etc)

Charcuterie (British cured meats including ham, chorizo, salami, bresaola)

Smoked Fish (all types of smoked fish or seafood)

Gin (all varieties of British gin, including flavoured)

Cider (all strengths and types)

English Wine (sparkling or still. Can be any colour)

Beer (all strengths and styles)

Savoury Preserve (chutneys, condiments, pickles etc)

Sweet Preserve (jams, curds, marmalades, sweet sauces etc)

Sweet Bake (cakes, sweet breads, tarts, biscuits etc)

Savoury Bake (breads, pies, pasties, biscuits and more)

Gluten Free (food specifically suitable for those who avoid gluten)

Cheese (all types made with any kind of milk)

Dairy (yoghurt, cream, butter, ice cream etc)

Confectionery (chocolate, sweets, fudge, toffee, or any kind of sweet snack)

Savoury Snack (anything savoury for snacking, from crisps to pork scratchings)

Previous highlights

Whether you’re an exciting new start-up about to launch a new product, or an accomplished brand looking to snap up some accolades, the Great British Food Awards 2018 can get your produce noticed by some of the finest names in the food industry.

Last year, Lyme Bay Winery’s Rosé Brut wowed food writer and critic Grace Dent, who proclaimed it was “perfect with everything” while Michel Roux Jr. was bowled over by Husky & Honey’s Oat & Nut Granola, deeming it to be “lovely, nutty and delicious”.

Other 2017 winners include: Lynher Dairies’ Cornish Kern, as judged by chef Dan Doherty and Lambton & Jackson’s Maldon Deep Smoked Salmon, as chosen by food writer, columnist and bakery owner Tim Hayward. The quality of last year’s submissions was outstanding and we can’t wait to see – and champion – this year’s entrants.

Enter now!

Submitting your products couldn’t be easier. Simply head to greatbritishfoodmagazine.com/producerawards to fill in the online entry form.

Best of luck!