Some of the South West’s finest food and drink producers are celebrating after hundreds of regional products were recognised in this year’s Great Taste Awards, the world’s largest and most respected food and drink accreditation scheme.
The Guild of Fine Food announced the 2026 results on 28 July, with producers across the South West collecting an impressive 520 awards. The region earned 336 one-star, 157 two-star and 27 coveted three-star accolades, recognising products judged to be among the very best on the market.
Among those receiving the highest three-star recognition were The Artisan Kitchen’s Seville Orange & Bergamot Marmalade, Burrow Hill Cider Bus from The Somerset Cider Brandy Company, and Toffee Apple Cake from Lizzie Baking Bird.
This year’s competition attracted more than 15,000 entries from 3,919 producers across 116 countries, making it the largest in the awards’ history. Of those entries, just 306 products – around two per cent – achieved the prestigious three-star rating, described by judges as “exquisite and extraordinary”.
Unlike many competitions, Great Taste products are judged completely blind by more than 800 food experts, including chefs, food writers, buyers and product developers. Packaging and branding are removed so that every product is assessed solely on its flavour, appearance, aroma and texture.
John Farrand, Managing Director of the Guild of Fine Food, said the awards continue to play an important role in supporting independent food and drink producers.
He said: “Food security is becoming an increasingly pressing issue across the globe, so it feels more pertinent now than at any other time in our thirty-year history to be supporting and promoting independent producers and retailers.
“Great Taste is all about celebrating craftsmanship and dedication to well-sourced local ingredients and traditional, often simple production methods, which is more important now than ever.”
Among this year’s standout winners was The Artisan Kitchen, whose founder, Sarah Churchill, received two three-star awards for her marmalades.
She said: “Even after all these years, hearing that two of my marmalades have been awarded Great Taste three stars still gives me butterflies. Those awards can never be taken for granted, which makes them incredibly special.
“To receive two three-star awards in one year is something I’m enormously proud of. It’s a wonderful reminder that dedication to flavour, quality and craftsmanship really does make a difference.”
Attention now turns to the Golden Fork Awards, where all 306 three-star winners will compete for the chance to be named among the finest food and drink products in the world. The winners, including the Great Taste Supreme Champion 2026, will be announced at London’s Battersea Arts Centre on 15 September.
