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The final
judging panel for the Great Taste Awards 2006 (left to right):
Jennifer Sharp, Matthew Drennan, Giancarlo Caldesi, Alex Antonioni,
Mario Wyn-Jones, Richard Johnson, Digby Trout, Glynn Christian,
Duncan Ackery, Charles Campion, Bill Knott and Toby Young.
Great
Taste Awards 2006
On Thursday August
10th a team of 30 food experts reduced over 500 Great Taste Award
Gold winners down to 28 products, which represent the finest food
currently available in this country, in readiness for the Great Taste
Awards 'supreme judging' in the afternoon. A panel consisting of 12
highly regarded restaurateurs, food critics and food writers had the
role of whittling down those 28 products to five; to then decide on
the 'Supreme Champion 2006' after a passionate and interesting
debate.
Amongst the
products tasted and deliberated were smoked fish, dried meats,
several bacons, puddings, biscuits, cakes, jams, ice creams, oils,
jelly and sausages. After weeks of initial regional judging in
London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Harrogate, London, Winchester and Dorset,
the 'Gold' standard food products were re-submitted for this final
judging session of which the supreme panel which was chaired by
Richard Johnson, award-winning food journalist (Guardian & the
Times) and presenter of BBC2's Full on Food.
Richard says:
"Unlike Sainsbury's Taste the Difference and Tesco's Finest, The
Great Taste Awards are truly democratic, and what a democracy! 4,500
deli dishes from all over the world, tasted by independent critics.
Now it's all over, we have a winner, and I'm very full!"
The results
will remain a closely guarded secret until the glittering awards
ceremony on 3rd September in London, when the winners will be
revealed, followed by the announcement of the 'Supreme' Champion.
With the
important topics of food traceability, regionality and sourcing being
highlighted to us regularly, it is encouraging news that a record
number of British food producers have been awarded Gold in the Great
Taste Awards - the 'Oscars' of the world of fine food and drink.
Bob Farrand,
National Director of the Guild of Fine Food Retailers says, "The
500 Gold winners already deserve recognition for the craft and
dedication they have shown in the making of superb food and drink,
however to bring this down to what are considered the finest 28 food
products overall, plus an overall winner, really encompasses what the
Great Taste Awards is all about."
The Great
Taste Awards is the most prestigious and authoritative food
competition and has carved a reputation over the last decade as the
acknowledged accreditation of quality for all speciality food and
drink. The Great Taste Awards runs parallel to the Specialty &
Fine Food Fair taking place at Olympia from 3rd - 5th September. |
