Great Taste Award Gold winners announced

Organised by the Guild of Fine Food the awards have celebrated their 15th ann versary this year. From the 4753 products entered into the scheme this year, the vast majority of gold award winners were from smaller producers who source local ingredients and manufacture in small batches, generally by hand. A total of 1124 products were awarded gold this year, most receiving a one-star grading for their general excellence in taste, texture and flavour. 220 were given two stars and just 72 out of the 4753 entries were awarded the coveted three gold stars – a mark that the expert judges considered them faultless. Bob Farrand of the Guild of Fine Food, said: "The winning products have been through a thorough judging process and we are able to assure consumers that the Great Taste Award logo, which all award winners can use, signifies genuine, proven fine food. Every food awarded a gold has been through three layers of judging and to achieve three stars, the foods have been tasted on at least six occasions by a total of 22 experts." The three-star Gold award winning foods were judged again last week for a fourth time by a Supreme Panel of 12 illustrious foodies, including Mark Hix, the chefs chef, Alex James, farmer, journalist, author and bass player with Blur, food critic Charles Campion, BBC Radio 2's Nigel Barden, Tom Parker Bowles and national journalist Fiona Sims. The panel selected this year's major award winners, including the Supreme Champion 2008, which will be announced at Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London, on Monday 8th September.