We were delighted to be invited to the recent 2022 Golden Forks award ceremony – the culmination of the Guild of Fine Food’s annual Great Taste competition, said to be the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme.
The Food ‘Oscars’
The Golden Forks are sometimes called the ‘Oscars’ of the food and drink world, and certainly this year’s awards were announced in near-cinematically glittering style.
Food producers, journalists, industry experts and influencers had all been invited to assemble at medieval Southwark Cathedral; an unexpected setting perhaps, but it’s conveniently central, and of course right beside the foody paradise of Borough Market.
We arrived in the early evening to find a bar and menus along with the likes of cheese snacks set out in the churchyard, as we waited to be ushered into the Cathedral itself where the nave had been cleared and tables and chairs installed, together with a stage and big screen for the actual award ceremony.
Great Taste Indeed
But first, we were invited to circulate around the 25 tasting stations that had been set out along the aisles, sampling entries that had already been awarded three stars and were now hoping to be chosen to receive one of this year’s 14 Golden Forks.
These are mostly awarded by region, but they also include Charcuterie, Heritage, International, Small Artisan and Startisan, from which one of them is chosen as the Supreme Champion.
Sampling as many as we could, including Alder Tree’s super Blackcurrant Icecream and some excellent Ca.ake, we found standards wonderfully and refreshingly high; it was great too to have the chance to talk to their producers, and learn something of their stories.
Dinner and Awards
After that it was time to find ourselves places in the nave, where we were served three courses of delicious and substantial canapés by Kitchen Party catering. In many cases the ingredients included products entered into this year’s competition.
Quite by chance we had seated ourselves at a table with the producers of two winners -Mr Vikki’s Black Lime Chutney (North of England Golden Fork) and Martin’s Meats’ Dry-aged Lamb Hogget Chops (Heritage Award). Both were clearly delighted, and excited, by their well-earned success.
The Supreme Champion
The courses were punctuated by the three-stage award ceremony, climaxing with the announcement of the Supreme Champion. This year that award went to Kadode Kampot Pepper UK for its Fermented Fresh Green Kampot Peppercorns from Cambodia, also winner of the Golden Fork in the International Category.
Look out for Great Taste Stars
We were genuinely impressed by the standard of all the foodstuffs we tasted, by the enthusiasm, commitment and care shown by their producers, and by the good organisation and professionalism that evidently underpins the Great Taste award scheme.
From now on when shopping we will most definitely be looking out for products carrying the Great Taste award stars!
More Information
Guild of Fine Food: gff.co.uk
Other 2022 Golden Fork winners:
Great Taste Golden Fork for Charcuterie Product of the Year – Highland Charcuterie and Smoke House for Wild Highland Venison Salami with Juniper, Smoked with Peat:
Great Taste Golden Fork from East Anglia –Alder Tree for Blackcurrant Icecream;
Great Taste Golden Fork from Ireland –Scúp Gelato for Natural Yogurt;
Great Taste Golden Fork from London –Jemima’s Deli for Jemima’s Tahini Granola;
Great Taste Golden Fork from the Midlands –GCL Food Ingredients for Nduja & Honey Mezzaluna;
Great Taste Golden Fork from the North of England –Mr Vikki’s for Black Lime Chutney;
Great Taste Golden Fork from Northern Ireland –Baronscourt Estate for Wild Sika Venison Loin;
Great Taste Golden Fork from Scotland –Heather Hills Farm for Scottish Heather Comb Honey;
Great Taste Golden Fork from the South East and Great Taste Startisan of the Year –Sozye for Noya Sauce – Soya Sauce Alternative;
Great Taste Golden Fork from the South West and Great Taste Small Artisan Producer of the Year –The Artisan Kitchen for Blaisdon Red Plum Jam;
Great Taste Golden Fork from Wales –Bay Coffee Roasters for Indonesian Sumatran Fairtrade Organic;
Nigel Barden Heritage Award – Martins Meats for Dry-aged Lamb Hogget Chops.