Meet the Great British Food Awards winners 2023

“It’s been the best year yet,” say organisers of the Great British Food Awards, which attracted more than 1,000 entries in 2023, handing out 122 Gold Awards, and naming one Grand Champion.

The awards, launched in 2014, celebrate the very best artisanal products in the UK fine food and drink industry – from cheese and confectionery, to spirits, snacks, beers and baked goods – and are presided over by roster of high-profile judges, including wine expert Olly Smith, and chefs Michel Roux Jr and Raymond Blanc OBE.

“This year we were amazed not just by the quantity, but by the quality of every product that came to us,” said head of the Great British Food Awards, Jenny O’Neill.

“A change in the judging process has resulted in more winners in 2023, and the response has truly blown us away. British food has proven once again that it is amongst the best there is, and we can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store.”

Entries went through a stringent three-step judging process, firstly being taste-tested and scored, with the best shortlisted, and others deserving recognition taking Bronze awards.

Judges then tasted shortlisted products, awarding Silver and Gold accolades.

And, finally, gold winners were sent to the judging panel at Harvey Nichols, who selected their Grand Champion.

This year, Suffolk’s Alder Tree Brilliant Blackcurrant Fruit Cream Ice shone through, with one of the judges saying, “This ice cream instantly reminded me of a childhood memory of picking blackcurrants and berries from my grandmother’s garden. Rich and tangy with fruit, without being overly sweet, this is the ultimate expression of blackcurrant.”

Harvey Nichols food buying manager, Shirley Aubrey, said: “We were thrilled to be asked to select the Grand Champion for the Great British Food Awards 2023. What an absolute privilege and informative experience. 

“We loved the opportunity to sample so many star products, made with such care and attention by committed producers. With produce ranging from traditional British specialities like smoked salmon pate and thick rashers of air-dried bacon, through to artisan kimchi, pillowy focaccia and light-as-air passion fruit marshmallow, the breadth of products was a literal feast for the senses. 

“The product that made us smile most, with its distinctive and intense British flavour, simple ingredients list, local sourcing, and all-round, feel-good vibrancy, was the Brilliant Blackcurrant Fruit Cream Ice from Alder Tree. The determination of the producer to create the highest quality flavour and texture using just three ingredients, resulted in us selecting it to be this years’ Grand Champion. Congratulations to their team for creating a wonderful product, truly worthy of its title.”

Great British Food Awards 2023 Gold Winners

Poultry: Judged by Gerard King

Packington Free Range – Packington Free Range Chicken

Frenchbeer Farm – Super Small Whole Turkey

Lidl-Birchwood – Roast in Bag Garlic & Herb Chicken

Sweets: Judged by Holly Shackleton

Marsdens Fudge – Salted Caramel Fudge

Sugarcane Studio – Passion Fruit Marshmallow

Other Spirits: Judged by David Josephs

Kocktail – Candy Cane Martini and Amaretto Sour

Ready Meals: Judged by James Lynch

Osborne’s – Osborne’s Lobster Mac n Cheese

Savoury Snacks: Judged by Miguel Barclay

Buck ‘n’ Bird – Salami Crisps

Dukeshill – Cumberland Scotch Eggs

Chocolate: Judged by Graham Hornigold

Wicked and Wonderful – Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Truffles

Vegan: Judged by Shelina Permalloo

Vegan Crazy – My Vegan Dulce de Leche (The Blondie)

Julienne Bruno – Burrella

Free From: Judged by David Moore

Yummy Chumz – Free From Range Lemon Bars Shortbread

Sweet FA Gluten Free – Peanut Butter Cookies

Nasty Vegan – Chocolate Super Shake

Cider: Judged by Raymond Blanc OBE

Dunkertons Cider – Organic Vintage Cider

Beer & Lager: Judged by Jacob Liddle

Shepherd Neame – Spitfire Amber Ale

Three Tuns Brewery – Stout and XXX

Liqueurs: Judged by Andy Maxwell

Caru Spirits – Caru Brandy Liqueur

Atlantic Distillery Ltd – Cornish Cassis

Deerness Distillery – Orcadian Moon Coffee Liqueur

Rum: Judged by Merlin Griffiths

North Point Distillery – North Point Spiced Rum

The Dundee Gin Co – Spiced Marmalade Rum

Classic Gin: Judged by Adam Handling

Orkney Gin Company – Aatta Gin

Dyfi Distillery – Dyfi Pollination Gin

Copas Traditional Turkeys – Copas Small Batch Rosemary Gin

Flavoured Gin: Judged by David Moore

Peak Ales – Chatsworth Small Batch Rose Pink Gin

Highclere Castle Gin – Highclere Castle Barrel aged gin

58 and Co. –  Apple and Hibiscus gin

Vodka: Judged by Merlin Griffiths

Orkney Gin Company – Orkney Vodka

Deerness Distillery – Into the Wild Vodka

Royal Mash – Royal Mash Vintage Vodka 2020

Mixers: Judged by Olly Smith

Gusto Organic Ltd – Gusto Organic Real Cola

Double Dutch Drinks – Ginger beer

Stratford Sodas – Stratford Sodas Citrus Rum Mixer

Soft Drinks: Judged by Laura Willoughby MBE

Gusto Organic Ltd – Gusto Organic Real Cola

INTUNE Drinks – Ginger & Lime CBD drink

L.A Brewery – Ginger Kombucha

Tea: Judged by Robert Hunningher

Damazonia – Damazonia Sleep Tea

Dorset Tea – Sandy Beaches blend

Two Spoons Tea – Two Spoons Darjeeling – First Flush

Coffee: Judged by Robert Hunningher

Small Batch Coffee Roasters – Goldstone Espresso

Pennington’s Tea & Coffee Ltd – Lakeland Blend

West Berkshire Roastery – Signature Gold

Best British Speciality: Judged by Michel Roux Jr

St. Ewe Free Range Eggs – St. Ewe Rich Yolk

Windmill Hill Fruits Ltd/ A.J & C.I Snell – British Premium Strawberries

Martin Thomas Butchers – Traditional Black Pudding

Savoury Biscuits: Judged by Raymond Blanc OBE

The Drinks Bakery-Drinks Biscuits – Lancashire Cheese & Spring Onion

Burren Balsamics Ltd – Proper Digestive Biscuits

Sweet Biscuits: Judged by Robert Gooch

Island Bakery – Orange Melts

New Forest Shortbread – New Forest Shortbread

Biscottilicious – Raspberriliicious Biscotti

Home Baking: Judged by Holly Shackleton

Freshlay Golden Yolks – Freshlay Golden Yolks

Naksha Collections – Milk Chocolate Blondies

Sweet Bakes: Judged by Eric Lanlard

Artisana – Isle of Skye Sea Salt Caramel Brownie

Aldi – Specially Selected Smash Dome Cake

Smoked Fish & Seafood: Judged by Kevin Barber

Lambton & Jackson – Smoked Salmon Pate

Isle of Bute Smokehouse – Oak Smoked Salmon

Fresh Fish & Seafood: Judged by Kevin Barber

Aldi – Infused Salmon Fillets, Chilli, Ginger & Lime

Amity Fish Company – Jimmy Buchan’s Panko Crumb Queenie Scallops

Sausages: Judged by Paul Askew

Dukeshill – Traditional Pork Chipolatas

Alder Carr Farm – Classic Sausage

Bacon: Judged by Holly Shackleton

Martin Thomas Butchers – Dry salted air-dried rind off back bacon

Ambry – Free Range Turkey Bacon

Lamb: Judged by Gerard King

Heritage Meats – Leg of Herdwick Hogget

Pork: Judged by Gerard King

Dukeshill – Muscovado Gammon Roasting Joint (roast in the bag)

Eastbrooke Farm Organic Meats – Pork Belly Joints

Beef: Judged by Gerard King

Isle of Man Meats – Ribeye Steak

Lidl Deluxe – Tomahawk Steak 30 day matured

Lidl Deluxe – T Bone Steak 30 Day Matured

Charcuterie: Judged by Sally Abe

Suffolk Salami – Little Oinker Snacking Salami

Dukeshill – Cumberland Scotch Eggs

Spring Lane Farm Shop – Homemade Haslet

Vinegars, Dressings & Oils: Judged by Tom De Keyser

Borderfields – Gold Fragrant Garlic Infused Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil

The Slow Vinegar Company – Elderflower Wine Vinegar

Pickles: Judged by Holly Shackleton

Burren Balsamics Ltd – Pickled Tomatoes

JJ Park – Original Kimchi by JJ Park

Chutney: Judged by David Josephs

Sharpham Cheese – Caramelised Fig & Sharpham Pinot Noir Chutney

Stokoe House 1611 – Fennel & Apple Chutney

Dukeshill – Boxing Day Chutney

Marmalade: Judged by William Sitwell

Black Mountains Preserves – Moroccan Marmalade

Cakebole Orchard – Oxford Marmalade

Jam: Judged by Scott Goodfellow

Cakebole Orchard – Raspberry Jam

Season’s Bounty – Sour Black Cherry Jam with Kirsch

Honey: Judged by Olly Marlowe

Nook Farm Honey – Cumbrian Wildflower Honey

Bear Cool Honey Company – Bear Cool Honey

Cooking Sauces: Judged by Olly Marlowe

Lo & Slo – Screaming Banshee Ghost Chilli & Seaweed Blend

The Cornish Fishmonger – The Cornish Fishmonger’s Mariniere sauce

Ice Cream: Judged by Holly Shackleton

Alder Tree – Brilliant Blackcurrant

Simply Ice Cream – Salted Caramel

Condiments & Spreads: Judged by Lucy Charles

Osborne’s – Osborne’s Smoked Chilli Salt

Burren Balsamics Ltd – Wild garlic, salt and peppermill

Cut to the Smoke – Korean Spice (Mild) Seasoning Kit

Dairy: Judged by Lucy Charles

Meggy Moo’s Dairy – Meggy Moo’s Whole Milk

St Helen’s Farm – St Helen’s Farm Natural Goats’ Milk Yoghurt

Trewithen Dairy – Trewithen Dairy Cornish Clotted Cream

Flavour-Added Cheese: Judged by Hero Hirsch

Godminster – Black Truffle Howling Hound Organic Vintage Cheddar

Soft Cheese: Judged by Hero Hirsch

Alsop & Walker – Sussex Brie

The Buffalo Farm – Scottish Buffalo Mozzarella

Hard Cheese: Judged by Hero Hirsch

Sharpham Cheese – Sharpham Rushmore

Alsop & Walker – The Idle Hour

Blue Cheese: Judged by Hero Hirsch

Shepherds Purse – Harrogate Blue

Cropwell Bishop Creamery – Beauvale

Bread: Judged by William Sitwell

Mr T.G Pullin’s Bakery – Sliced Sourdough

Baker Tom’s Bread – Seasalt & Rosemary Focaccia

Savoury Bakes: Judged by David Moore

Ginsters – Chicken and Mushroom Slice

Croots Farm Shop – Croots Pork Pie

Cooking Kits: Judged by Paul Askew

Cut to the Smoke – Korean Spice (Mild) Seasoning Kit

Hot Smoked – BBQ Hot Smoking Kit

Spice Kitchen – Indian Spice Tin with 9 Spices and Silk Sari Wrap

Burgers: Judged by Paul Askew

Edwards The Welsh Butcher/The Traditional Welsh Sausage Co Ltd. EDWARDS – Pork & Cracked Black Pepper Burgers

Wine: Judged by Olly Smith

Ridgeview – Fitzrovia Rose

Gusbourne – Blanc De Blancs 2018

Terlingham Vineyard – Bacchus

Desserts: Judged by Eric Lanlard

Lidl – Deluxe Sticky Toffee Pudding

Aldi – Specially Selected Cherry Bakewell Sponge Pudding

Non-alcoholic: Judged by Laura Willoughby MBE

Mavrik Drinks – Mavrik Cuban Mojito

L.A Brewery – Citrus Hops Kombucha

Real Drinks – Peony Blush Sparkling Tea

Find the full list of winners here.