Three new Golden Fork trophies have been added to Great Taste for 2013 – the world’s largest and most respected blind-tasted food and drink awards scheme.
Chefs working in delis and farm shops are being encouraged to enter their favourite signature dish; producers making artisan foods using heritage breeds or varieties will be honoured with a special Nigel Barden Award, and one emerging new artisan business will receive valuable mentoring as part of its prize.
“In 2012 we had a handful of completely new artisan producers who entered Great Taste including one producer in Cumbria who achieved a 3-star Award for an exceptional sweetmeat, and we would like to encourage more to come forward and take part in Great Taste 2013. Even if a producer is working completely on their own or with one other person to produce food or drink that is exclusively sold through farmers’ markets or local shops, we would very much like them to take part. The winner will be offered an opportunity to receive valuable mentoring from established food experts. Great Taste has been credited with changing the lives of the winners of the Supreme Champion Award, and while we want to hear this kind of great news from our winners, we also want to encourage very small artisan producers,” said John Farrand, organiser of Great Taste 2013.
Also, the growing number of micro-breweries and UK and Irish winemakers will be able to enter into an expanded drinks category.
Since 1994, Great Taste has been organised by The Guild of Fine Food and over the last 19 years over 70,000 products have been blind tasted by judges including top restaurateurs, chefs, food critics, fine food retailers, buyers and cookery writers.
In 2013 over 10,000 entries are expected and the robust judging process will ensure only the finest food and drink will be declared worthy of the Great Taste stars. The announcement of the Supreme Champion 2013 sponsored by Harrods, will be made on the 9th September.