Gold Great Taste Awards winners announced

The gold winners of the Great Taste Awards have been announced. From 4753 products entered into the scheme this year, the majority of gold 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: "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."

Judges included Mark Hix, Alex James, Charles Campion, Nigel Barden and Tom Parker Bowles.

3 star winners include Mark Toney & Co's pistachio ice cream; Gubbeen Farmhouse Products' unsmoked ham and the Orchard Pig's lightly sparkling medium cider.

To view the full list of winners visit www.finefoodworld.co.uk