The Great Taste Awards stand as the world’s biggest food and drink accreditation scheme. Every year, they evaluate over 14,000 products from more than 110 countries.
These awards have become a gold standard for taste and quality in the global food scene. If you spot a Great Taste sticker, odds are it’s something special.
The Guild of Fine Food kicked off the Great Taste Awards in Dorset, England. Over time, it grew into the most respected food competition anywhere.
They designed the awards to act as an independent quality mark. It helps shoppers spot products with real flavour and skill behind them.
Judges use a blind-tasting system. Products compete based solely on taste, quality, and overall excellence.
You can earn one, two, or three stars. Three stars? That’s the top prize, and it’s not easy to get.
Only 1.9% of products nab that three-star badge each year. For producers, that rating is a serious boost for positioning themselves at the premium end of the market.
The awards cover everything from fresh produce and dairy to drinks, sweets, and ready-made foods. They really don’t leave any category out.
Over 500 industry pros step in as judges—think chefs, food critics, retailers, and food technologists. Their combined experience means every product gets a fair shake.
Judges spend 110 days tasting and assessing entries. They focus on taste, texture, look, and overall quality, without knowing the brand or price.
Blind tasting rules the day. Judges never see the manufacturer or where the product came from.
This setup keeps things honest. Results reflect true quality, not marketing or reputation.
The judging roadshow travels to different spots, and Ireland has hosted sessions in recent years. Moving around helps manage the international flood of entries and keeps standards solid.
Three-star winners go through extra tasting rounds for the Golden Fork trophies. The Supreme Champion appears each September.
Ireland did especially well in the 2025 Great Taste Awards, taking home 728 awards. That included 42 three-star wins, which jumped up from 34 the year before.
Producers from both the Republic and Northern Ireland showed off their skills in all sorts of categories. Big names like Dunnes Stores and Lidl Ireland grabbed awards, but so did artisan outfits like Green Pastures and Boyne Valley Cheese.
These awards give Irish food producers international credibility. Many Irish companies use their stars as proof of quality when they’re trying to break into new markets or talk deals with distributors.
For shoppers, the awards act as a handy guide to finding top-notch Irish products. The independent judging means you can trust what you’re buying.
Irish producers’ success here keeps boosting Ireland’s reputation for high-quality food and culinary excellence worldwide.
Irish food producers have a long track record at the Great Taste Awards since the scheme opened to Irish entries in 1994. Early on, artisan cheese makers got noticed, but recent years have seen record wins, with 444 awards in 2025.
Both the Republic and Northern Ireland now play a big role in the competition.
The Guild of Fine Food launched the Great Taste Awards in 1994. Irish producers joined the competition from the very start.
Timeline highlights:
The 2012 awards really put Ireland on the map. McCartney’s of Moira, County Down, won Supreme Champion for their corned beef.
A year later, Hannan Meats from the same village took the top prize with their Moyallon Guanciale.
Brexit shook things up recently. New import rules made UK-based judging tricky, so organisers set up judging panels in Ireland for the first time in the awards’ history.
Irish participation has exploded since the early days. The recent numbers are kind of wild.
In 2025, the competition saw 12,336 total entries, with 4,347 products winning awards. Ireland took home 444 wins—about 10% of all the winners.
Northern Ireland keeps turning out top producers. Counties Down, Antrim, and Fermanagh show up on winner lists year after year.
Moira, in particular, has become a hotspot for award-winning meat producers.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland shines across a range of categories. Counties Cork, Dublin, and Offaly often appear among the winners, especially with cheeses and preserves.
Ireland’s booming artisan food sector plays a big part in this growth. Small producers use the awards to break into UK markets and build trust.
The three-year accreditation keeps folks coming back and encourages new product development.
Irish producers have picked up some impressive prizes over the years. The 42 three-star awards in 2025 really stand out.
Supreme Champions from Ireland:
Three-star winners keep showing Ireland’s quality across the board. Woodcock Smokery’s hot smoked albacore tuna wowed the judges, and Connacht Gold’s butter from Ballymote, County Sligo, reached three-star status.
The 2024 awards brought in 511 Irish wins, with 11 three-star products. That’s a strong showing for both classic and new products.
Different regions have their own strengths. Northern Ireland leads in meat and traditional foods, while the Republic stands out in dairy, preserves, and artisan specialties.
Irish success isn’t just about single products. The awards open doors to picky UK consumers, and winners often connect directly with premium retailers through the Guild of Fine Food’s network.
Irish producers had a fantastic run at the 2025 Great Taste Awards, nabbing 42 three-star awards—up from 34 in 2024. Big retailers like Lidl and Dunnes Stores did well, but so did artisan producers, especially with Cashel Blue cheese and top-notch Irish meats.
The 2025 three-star list really shows off Ireland’s food scene. Dunnes Stores brought home five awards, including their Unsmoked Irish Boneless Whole Ham and 14 Day Matured Irish Angus Fillet Sharing Steak.
Lidl Ireland matched that with four three-star products. Their Deluxe Irish Angus 3 Rib Roast on the Bone and Deluxe Confit Duck Legs proved that you can get great quality without breaking the bank.
Traditional cheesemakers made a splash. J & L Grubb Ltd won for both Cashel Blue and Crozier Blue.
Boyne Valley Cheese picked up an award for their Boyne Valley Bán, keeping Ireland’s artisan cheese reputation strong.
Green Pastures in Donegal grabbed five three-star awards across their dairy range. Their Greek Yoghurt and cream products highlighted Ireland’s growing rep for premium dairy.
Honey producers really stood out. Blackwater Honey‘s Blossom Honey and OpenHive’s Heather Honey Cut Comb both got top marks.
Hundreds of Irish producers earned two-star recognition in 2025. Traditional preserves kept up their strong performance, especially with marmalades and jams.
Irish dairy makers continued to impress, even beyond the three-star group. Regional yoghurt producers across the country kept raising the bar, holding their own against international brands.
Artisan chocolate makers and confectioners picked up several two-star awards. They blended traditional Irish ingredients with new techniques, and judges loved the unique flavours and clear care in the craft.
Ireland’s one-star winners show just how broad the country’s food scene is. Small rural producers got noticed alongside bigger brands, which says a lot about the fairness of the judging.
Regional specialties did especially well here. Local producers using unique Irish ingredients and old-school methods caught the judges’ eyes—proof that authentic flavours still matter.
The one-star category gives newer producers a boost. Plenty of today’s three-star stars started out here, using that first recognition to build their name and tweak their recipes for future competitions.
Irish producers took top honours in a wide range of categories. Artisan cheeses, premium meats, and traditional preserves all got big nods. These winners show off Ireland’s best, whether they’re farmhouse operations or bigger names.
Irish cheesemakers won plenty of three-star awards across different milk types. That really says something about the country’s dairy roots.
Cashel Blue once again proved itself as Ireland’s leading blue cheese, standing out for its creamy texture and bold tang. The Tipperary-made cheese keeps setting the bar for Irish artisan cheeses.
Boyne Valley Cheese picked up multiple awards, with their Boyne Valley Bán getting special mention. This soft-ripened cheese really captures the rich pastures of County Meath.
Traditional Irish yogurts did well too. Several producers earned awards for their authentic fermentation methods.
Clonakilty-based producers especially impressed the judges, bringing home prizes that highlight West Cork’s dairy know-how.
Farmhouse cheese makers kept things interesting by mixing innovation with tradition. Judges appreciated the range, from aged hard cheeses to delicate fresh ones.
Irish meat producers showed real quality, both in prepared and fresh categories. Confit duck legs picked up top awards, showing just how far Irish charcuterie and prepared meats have come.
Premium beef cuts stood out, especially the Irish Angus rib roast that grabbed a three-star win. Grass-fed beef from Ireland really delivers on flavour and marbling.
Traditional bacon and ham producers also brought home awards. They stuck to old-school curing methods but kept everything up to modern food safety standards.
Prepared meat dishes reflected Ireland’s changing food scene. Producers managed to balance convenience and quality, giving folks restaurant-level meals at home.
Irish preserve makers got noticed for both classic recipes and inventive new flavours.
Granville Raspberry Jam picked up top honours, showing off the best of Irish soft fruits and traditional preserving.
Classic Seville orange marmalade also brought home awards. These makers really know how to balance sweet and bitter to hit that perfect marmalade note.
Artisan producers experimented with seasonal Irish fruits, creating preserves that capture the heart of Ireland’s growing seasons. Berry-based jams, in particular, wowed judges with their deep flavours and spot-on consistency.
Small-batch makers proved they can stand toe-to-toe with big brands. Their attention to detail and use of quality ingredients keeps traditional preserve-making alive and well in Ireland.
Lidl Ireland stands out as the most awarded discount retailer in the country, taking home 77 Great Taste Awards in 2024. Their wins stretch from premium beef like Irish Angus cuts, to creative dairy products and artisan specialties from local producers.
Lidl’s beef range keeps racking up praise at the Great Taste Awards. The Deluxe Irish Angus Rib Roast on the Bone 28-day Matured grabbed a coveted three-star award in 2023.
That same year, their Deluxe Irish Angus 3-Rib Roast on the Bone also scored three stars. Lidl became the top Irish retailer for three-star beef wins.
World Steak Challenge Performance:
The angus striploin steak range keeps impressing in blind tastings. Judges point to the 28-day maturation and the quality of Irish Angus cattle.
Lidl’s dairy section keeps shining in award circles. Their Deluxe Cashel Blue 150g picked up a bronze at the World Cheese Awards 2023.
Irish yogurts from various suppliers help boost Lidl’s award count. The team works closely with local dairy producers to keep quality consistent.
Dairy Award Highlights:
Lidl stays focused on supporting Irish dairy farmers. Many of their award winners come from small rural operations.
Lidl’s awards don’t stop at meat and dairy. Kilderg Organic Honey got noticed for its pure Irish origin and unique flavour.
Glensallagh Smoked Streaky Bacon drew praise for its traditional smoking. This product shows Lidl’s ongoing support for artisan Irish suppliers.
In 2024, Lidl also picked up wins in baby and pregnancy categories—6 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze at the Pregnancy & Baby Fair Awards.
Additional Categories:
Clonakilty products available at Lidl keep building their reputation for quality Irish sourcing.
Irish food producers from all over the country made a splash at the Great Taste Awards 2025. Northern Ireland grabbed multiple three-star awards, and County Tipperary kept its winning streak alive. Boyne Valley Cheese shows just how far Irish artisan producers have come on the world stage.
County Tipperary keeps proving it’s a food production powerhouse. The Great Taste Awards even chose Clonmel as their first Irish venue, a nod to Tipperary’s growing influence in artisan food.
The county’s mix of rich pastures and tradition supports everything from farmhouse cheese to innovative honey. Local producers benefit from generations-old methods.
Key strengths include top-notch dairy farming and sustainable practices. Tipperary’s location helps local producers reach national markets while keeping standards high.
The region succeeds by blending old-school Irish food techniques with modern quality controls. This mix keeps delivering award-winning products that hold their own internationally.
Northern Ireland wowed judges with producers like Our Brewery, who took home three separate three-star awards for barrel-aged ales. Their Wild Ale, Keptinis Beer, and Oud Bruin Brown Ale really stood out.
Kettyle Irish Foods got recognition for their Salt Moss Aged Ribeye Steak, thanks to innovative ageing with Irish moss.
Morelli Ice Cream won for their Sicilian Pistachio, bringing Italian gelato tradition to Northern Ireland. This family business sticks to classic recipes but adapts to local tastes.
Other big names included Abernethy Butter for their Cep Miso and Basalt Distillery for Volcanic Rock Gin. These wins show Northern Ireland’s rising status in premium artisan foods.
Boyne Valley Cheese in County Meath earned a three-star award for Boyne Valley Bán, their standout soft cheese. They’re a great example of Ireland’s artisan cheese scene, using traditional methods and modern safety standards.
Counties Wexford and Cork also made waves. Wexford Home Preserves won for Handmade Blackcurrant Jam, and Toons Bridge Dairy in Cork impressed with Greek Style Buffalo Milk Cheese.
Achill Mountain Lamb from Mayo showed off their Salt Marsh Lamb Rump, marinated in rosemary, garlic, and sea salt. The unique Achill Island terroir gives their lamb a special flavour.
Dublin-based producers didn’t miss out either. McCabe’s Coffee earned three stars for Espresso 15, proving urban producers can hit artisan heights with the right sourcing and roasting.
The Great Taste Awards highlight some clear trends in Irish food. Artisan producers are getting more recognition, and big retailer brands now compete directly with specialists.
Small Irish producers dominated the 2025 Great Taste Awards. People want authentic, locally-made foods, and it shows. Green Pastures from Donegal, for example, won multiple three-star awards for their Greek yoghurt and soft cheeses.
Traditional methods lead the way. Blackwater Honey and Olly’s Farm both earned three stars for raw honey. The Farmhouse Bees & Trees got noticed for their ivy blossom honey.
Cheesemakers keep making their mark. J & L Grubb Ltd took home awards for Cashel Blue and Crozier Blue. Boyne Valley Cheese also grabbed three stars for Boyne Valley Bán.
Craft drinks are stepping up too. Our Brewery in Antrim won for their barrel-aged beers, including wild ale and brown ale.
Winners come from all corners, from Achill Mountain Lamb in Mayo to Carlingford Oyster Company. Artisan excellence really is everywhere in Ireland.
Big retailers are now making foods that rival artisan quality. Lidl Ireland snagged four three-star Great Taste Awards in 2025, a big win for supermarket own brands.
Lidl’s premium meats stand out. Their Deluxe range won for unsmoked silverside with brown sugar glazing and Irish Angus rib roast aged 40 days. Duck products got awards too.
Dunnes Stores picked up five three-star awards. Their Simply Better range features cheeses from Austria and France, plus Irish Angus steaks.
SuperValu’s parent Musgrave won for smoked rashers and bacon. Their Signature Tastes line goes head-to-head with specialist producers.
Retailers are clearly investing in sourcing and methods that used to be exclusive to artisans.
A handful of legendary Irish foods have made their mark at the Great Taste Awards. These products show off generations of skill and Ireland’s love for quality ingredients.
The Granville Hotel’s raspberry jam sits among Ireland’s most beloved preserves. They use raspberries from County Cork farms, where the climate gives the berries extra flavour and sweetness.
Jam makers stick with traditional methods. Small batches help keep quality high, and copper pans give even heat. The result? A preserve with just the right fruit-to-sugar balance.
Judges often mention the jam’s bright colour and chunky texture. You can see whole raspberries, which makes it look as good as it tastes. The flavour stays fresh and never gets too sweet.
Hotels and restaurants across Ireland serve this jam at breakfast. Chefs use it in desserts and for afternoon tea. Its reputation is growing outside Ireland too, with more people seeking it abroad.
Seville orange marmalade connects Ireland to classic British preserving. Producers use bitter oranges from Spain’s Seville region, where the fruit’s sharp taste and high pectin work perfectly for marmalade.
The season runs from January to March, when Seville oranges are at their best. Irish artisans hand-cut the orange peel into strips for that classic texture.
Key production elements:
Award-winning marmalades balance bitterness and gentle sweetness. The peel stays firm but not tough. The best ones often have chunky peel for extra texture.
Cashel Blue from County Tipperary keeps winning three-star Great Taste Awards, making it Ireland’s top blue cheese. J & L Grubb Ltd craft this cheese using traditional methods and milk from grass-fed cows.
Careful aging in controlled rooms creates its blue-green veins. Temperature and humidity stay steady for eight to ten weeks.
Cashel Blue has a creamy texture with tangy, salty notes. It spreads easily at room temperature but holds together when crumbled. It’s great for cooking or cheese boards.
Irish cheesemakers keep winning across categories. Crozier Blue, also from J & L Grubb Ltd, uses sheep’s milk. Boyne Valley Bán stands out in the white cheese category for its mild, smooth taste.
These wins highlight Ireland’s growing strength in artisan cheese, where small producers focus on quality.
Irish supermarkets now drive much of the country’s success at the Great Taste Awards. They do this through smart product development and tight partnerships with local producers. SuperValu and Centra often lead the pack, taking home the most awards among Irish retailers.
While SuperValu and Centra often top the awards list, Lidl has carved out its own niche by focusing on premium private-label products. The German discount chain has really shifted its image in Ireland by pouring resources into own-brand ranges that stand up to premium competitors.
Lidl takes a different route than other Irish retailers. Instead of relying mostly on local suppliers, they use their European network to source top-quality ingredients at sharp prices. This approach lets them offer award-winning products while sticking to their value promise.
Their success comes from tough quality testing. Every product faces strict taste panels before hitting shelves. Their premium lines go through even more checks to meet the standards expected at competitions like the Great Taste Awards.
SuperValu and Centra have seen their award success grow because of their dedication to Irish producers. These partnerships mix local expertise with the reach of retail giants, creating something pretty special.
The results? Out of 116 winning awards in recent competitions, 74 went to products with Irish roots.
Clóna Dairy from West Cork really shows how this partnership works. With a century of dairy production under their belt and SuperValu’s distribution behind them, they’ve picked up multiple awards.
Ice-Cream Treats from County Cavan and Dunn’s of Dublin fish company also prove that local skill can earn national recognition.
The Happy Pear collaboration stands out for its exclusivity. You’ll only find their products at SuperValu and Centra, and they’ve snagged 10 awards—including repeat wins for their Basil Pesto.
These exclusive deals mean both sides benefit, and shoppers get access to unique, top-quality products.
Retailers don’t just buy from local producers—they offer development resources, quality feedback, and market advice.
This support helps local producers tweak and improve their goods until they’re truly award-worthy.
Great Taste Awards have a real impact on Ireland’s food sector. The recognition sparks export growth and attracts culinary tourists.
Small producers can suddenly find themselves turned into household names.
International recognition from Great Taste Awards opens doors for Irish producers. The 2025 results? Ireland scooped up 728 awards across all categories.
That kind of consistency gives international buyers plenty of confidence.
Retailers around the world use Great Taste stars when choosing what to stock. A three-star award acts as a solid stamp of quality for export managers.
It saves time when trying to win over new distributors abroad.
Premium pricing is within reach for products with Great Taste awards. Artisan makers can ask for higher prices, especially in Europe and North America, where the awards mean a lot.
The awards help smaller Irish producers stand out against big international brands.
Green Pastures and J & L Grubb Ltd, for example, use their three-star wins to secure spots in top delicatessens and specialty stores overseas.
Great Taste winners turn into destination attractions for food tourists heading to Ireland.
Food lovers plan trips around visiting these producers, bringing extra revenue to rural areas.
Tourism boards feature Great Taste winners in their campaigns. Counties with several winners—like those home to Carlingford Oyster Company or Achill Mountain Lamb—create food trails that keep visitors around longer.
Restaurant partnerships pop up as chefs add local award-winners to their menus. This kind of collaboration lifts the whole food scene in a region.
When several winners cluster together, they create food hotspots that attract serious culinary travelers.
These areas build reputations as must-visit food destinations, boosting hotel bookings and restaurant traffic.
Media attention ramps up after a Great Taste win. Irish producers start popping up in food magazines, newspapers, and all over the web.
Retailers find it easier to work with producers who have Great Taste credentials.
Big names like Dunnes Stores and Lidl Ireland put their winners front and center, which boosts their whole premium range.
Consumers trust products with Great Taste stars on the packaging. The independent judging reassures shoppers, especially when they’re paying extra for artisan goods.
Irish producers often see local media and festival invites follow international wins.
That kind of recognition just keeps building momentum for their brands.
You’ll find Great Taste Award winners in major Irish supermarkets and specialty shops.
Many producers also run restaurants or dining spots where their best products take the spotlight.
Big retailers like Dunnes Stores, Lidl Ireland, and SuperValu keep plenty of three-star winners in stock.
Dunnes Stores, for example, features its Simply Better range—think Austrian organic cheeses and 14-day matured Irish Angus fillet steaks.
Lidl Ireland’s Deluxe line includes their top-rated Irish duck and silverside joints glazed with brown sugar.
SuperValu supplies Musgrave’s award-winning smoked thick cut rashers through its wide network.
Specialist shops offer artisan favorites like Cashel Blue and Crozier Blue cheeses from J & L Grubb Ltd.
Independent delis often stock Green Pastures dairy, including Greek yoghurt and crème fraîche.
Online shopping makes it easy to buy directly from producers like Blackwater Honey and Toons Bridge Dairy.
Many three-star winners run their own e-commerce sites and deliver nationwide.
Food markets across Ireland give you the chance to buy from the producers themselves.
Cork’s English Market and Dublin’s Temple Bar Food Market often host Great Taste winners.
Some award-winning producers run restaurants where their products shine in chef-driven dishes.
Silver Hill Duck, for example, supplies top spots where you’ll find their confit legs on the menu.
Restaurants and gastropubs highlight Great Taste winners, especially in gastropubs and fine dining.
Chefs actively seek out three-star products for their kitchens.
The Granville Hotel and similar places work closely with award-winning Irish producers, putting their goods in signature dishes.
Hotel restaurants offer a controlled setting where these standout ingredients get the attention they deserve.
Brewery taprooms like Our Brewery in Antrim serve their barrel-aged ales—another three-star winner.
These spots often guide visitors through flavor profiles and brewing techniques.
Farm-to-table restaurants might showcase several Great Taste winners on a single menu.
It’s a great way to experience the best of Ireland’s food, all prepared by skilled chefs.
Food producers in Ireland often wonder about entering the Great Taste Awards, how judging works, and how to make the most of any awards they might win.
Food and drink producers can enter via the Guild of Fine Food’s online system, MyGuild.
First, you’ll need to register as a user and set up a company account.
Entry fees depend on your business size and when you enter.
If your turnover is under £1 million, you’ll pay £47 per product during member entry periods.
Medium businesses (£1-5 million turnover) pay £74 per product as members.
Larger companies (over £5 million turnover) pay £116 per entry during member periods.
Wait for delivery instructions by email before sending products.
The Guild sends these instructions between February and May, with exact drop-off points.
Member entry opens on 9 December 2024, just for Guild of Fine Food members.
If you want the early entry rate, make sure your new membership application arrives by 4 December 2024.
General entry opens on 6 January 2025 for everyone.
Member entry closes on 15 January 2025, but members can still enter at the general price after that.
Final entries are due by 21 January 2025, though the competition could close sooner if it fills up—so it’s smart to submit early.
A panel of over 500 food experts judges each product on its own merits.
The panel includes chefs, buyers, food writers, and retailers.
Products can earn one, two, or three stars depending on quality.
Only 1.9% of entries reached the three-star level in 2025.
Judges spend 110 days evaluating products, and every entry gets detailed feedback.
Judging happens between February and May at venues in Dorset and London.
Entrants will see results on 29 July 2025 at 10am BST through the MyGuild portal.
The public can view the results at 2pm BST that same day on the Guild’s website directory.
The Golden Forks ceremony will be held on 9 September 2025 in London.
That’s when they announce the Golden Fork winners and Supreme Champion.
Winners get feedback and detailed judging notes with their results.
This helps producers see what’s working and where they might improve.
Coffee and tea need to taste exceptional to impress the judges.
They look at flavor, aroma, texture, and the overall drinking experience.
Judges also check brewing characteristics and consistency.
They want to see if the product delivers the promised flavors and style.
Ingredient quality matters a lot.
Judges favor products that show great sourcing and processing.
Products have to meet the competition’s basic terms and conditions.
Some fresh products and certain categories might not qualify for entry.
Winners get access to promotional materials like logos, certificates, labels, and even branded merchandise.
Small producers can grab the logo artwork for free. Not bad, right?
The Guild runs PR campaigns that reach about 35 million consumers worldwide every year.
These campaigns push people to look for and buy products that have scooped up awards.
Great Taste stars act as respected seals of approval. They really help products pop on store shelves.
This kind of recognition often boosts sales and gets more eyes on your brand.
Winners can update their stockist info in the results directory. That way, retail buyers and regular shoppers can track down award-winning products more easily.
The accreditation gives producers feedback straight from industry experts. That kind of insight? It helps folks improve their products and figure out better business strategies.
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