In a remarkable celebration of culinary craftsmanship, the North of England has once again proven its mettle on the global food stage. The prestigious Great Taste 2024 awards, often dubbed the ‘Oscars of the food and drink world’, have bestowed a total of 520 accolades on the region’s finest producers. Among these, 26 of the coveted 3-star awards were claimed by Northern entries, underscoring the area’s rich heritage of quality and innovation.
One of the standout winners is Swaledale Butchers, whose Diced Mutton earned high praise. Previously a secret of top restaurants, gastropubs, and chefs, this exceptional British native breed meat is now available to the public through Swaledale Online Butchers. The Yorkshire-based specialist butchery team is renowned for their whole-carcass, nose-to-tail philosophy, which ensures nutrient-dense meat with exceptional flavour.
Another notable success from the region is Malton Relish’s Fruit Cake. This small, local deli is run by a group of knowledgeable farming women committed to providing local, seasonal, and ethical food choices. Their dedication has helped cement Malton’s reputation as the “Food Capital of Yorkshire,” with their award-winning fruit cake being a prime example of their culinary expertise.
Vocation Brewery also made its mark with their Life & Death IPA. Founded in 2015 by John Hickling, the brewery aims to craft bold, flavourful beers accessible to all. Vocation Brewery’s range includes exemplary IPAs, pale ales, stouts, and barrel-aged beers, each embodying a distinct and memorable taste. Their commitment to creating beers of substance, rich in flavour and character, has clearly resonated with the Great Taste judges.
This year, nearly 3,500 companies from 115 countries entered the competition, showcasing a staggering 13,672 products. The UK alone contributed 8,008 entries from 2,528 companies, reflecting the nation’s vibrant and diverse food landscape.
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, commented: “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.”
Great Taste’s rigorous judging process involves blind tastings by a panel of over 500 experts, including food critics, chefs, and retailers. This year’s panel worked tirelessly across 92 judging days, providing detailed feedback to every participant.
The crème de la crème of the 3-star winners will now compete for the Golden Forks, awarded to the very best in each category. These prestigious accolades will be presented at a grand ceremony at London’s Battersea Arts Centre on 10 September, a date eagerly awaited by the food community.
For those eager to discover and taste these award-winning delights, a comprehensive list of winners and a guide to where to purchase them is available at www.gff.co.uk/directory
