Fen Farm Dairy named Grand Champion in Great British Food Awards 2026

Hundreds of winning producers, alongside celebrity judges and industry experts, gathered for the feast of an event at ALFI in Spitalfields Market on Tuesday, 6th October, hosted by master chocolatier Paul A Young.

They enjoyed canapes ‘hiding’ the winning Regional Champion ingredients, a grand tasting of dozens of Gold-winning products, apple crumble-flavoured edible balloons, and a grazing table of fine cheeses and British-themed pies.

Baron Bigod, a creamy, world-revered Brie de Meaux-style cheese, made using rich milk from the farm’s Montbéliarde herd, also took Gold in the Soft Cheese category, sweeping the board with its three other entries too (Kefir, Natural Yogurt and Bungay Butter) all of which won Golds.

Head cheese judge, Morgan McGlynn Carr (cheesemonger, author and expert on C4’s Sunday Brunch) raved about Baron Bigod, calling it the benchmark for British fine artisan soft cheeses. Morgan thought the Baron was “exceptional”. “Beautifully ripe with a perfect silky, wonderful depth of buttery, mushroomy and earthy flavour balanced by a lovely fresh lactic lift.”

Jonny and Dulcie said: “We’re over the moon to be named this year’s Grand Champion for our Baron Bigod. We were up against so many wonderful products and producers, so it’s a real honour to receive this recognition. Our aim from the beginning was to make a Brie better than the French, and we’re proud to say that Baron Bigod has replaced French Brie on many UK cheese counters. Our mission led us to buy French cows, build specially designed cheese rooms, travel the world to learn and spend thousands of hours perfecting our recipe, our soils and our farming practices… and we continue to adapt and learn to this day.”

Other Regional Champions included:

Wales: Hive Mind Mead, Dark Cherry Traditional Mead

Scotland: Selkie Seaweed, Solstice Salami

Southwest: Orchard People, Organic Eggs

London & Southeast: Copas Farm Shop, Thoughtful Producer Whole Free-Range Chicken

North of England: Lovingly Artisan, Wholemeal Barber Sourdough Bread

Midlands: Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese, Poacher 50

Northern Ireland: Lick Gelato, Billionaire’s Gelato in a Can

Find information about all of this year’s winners at Great British Food.

Head of awards, Jenny O’Neill, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to announce Fen Farm Dairy’s Baron Bigod as Grand Champion alongside all our Regional Champions. It’s a testament to the hard work, care, passion and attention to detail they put into action every single day – which you really can taste.

“Gaining these awards is a massive achievement, and follows a stringent series of tastings by our expert panellists and celebrity category judges. We encourage everyone to go out to buy and try these fabulous products, putting some of the best of Britain on their table.”

The Great British Food Awards celebrate the very best food and drink producers in the UK, with several rounds of judging to assess all entries thoroughly for quality and taste.

This includes first shortlisting with expert panellists from across the industry, before the crème de la crème are sampled by category and celebrity judges, including Raymond Blanc OBE, Great British Bake Off: The Professionals’ Cherish Finden, master chocolatier Paul A Young, Jack Stein, Nisha Katona MBE, Soil Association CEO Helen Browning, Adam Handling, First Dates favourite Merlin Griffiths and many others.

Entries for the Great British Food Awards 2027 will open in spring at greatbritishfoodawards.com. Start registering interest with jenny.oneill@artichokehq.com.