East Anglia's food and drink sector is celebrating a remarkable year at the Great Taste Awards, with a number of Tastebuds members achieving the competition's highest accolades and earning recognition from some of the UK's most respected food judges.
Among the standout winners receiving the coveted 3-Star Great Taste Awards were Simply Roasted Crisps, IVA Plants, James White Drinks, Paolo's Liqueur, and Candi's Cupboard, showcasing the exceptional quality, innovation and flavour being produced across the region.
The success is particularly significant for Paolo's Liqueur, which is still in its early years of production. Founder Paolo was delighted to learn that his limoncello had been awarded the top 3-star rating. You can find the limoncello at your local farmers markets, Norfolk Food Hall, Algy’s Farm Shop and Green Pastures Farm Shop.
"To receive a 3-Star Great Taste Award for our limoncello so early in our journey is honestly overwhelming," said Paolo, Founder of Paolo's Liqueur. "We put our heart into every bottle, and to have our product recognised by such experienced judges is an incredible achievement. It's a huge boost for our business and gives us confidence that we're creating something truly special. We still cannot believe it!"
The Great Taste Awards are widely regarded as one of the most trusted food and drink accreditation schemes in the world, with products judged purely on taste by panels of industry experts, chefs, buyers and food writers.
Tastebuds, which supports food and drink businesses across the region, welcomed the outstanding results and praised the dedication of its members.
"We're incredibly proud to see so many Tastebuds members recognised at this level," said Charlotte-Louise Beach, director at Tastebuds. "Our goal is to help food and drink businesses continually improve their products, access new stockists, and build loyal consumer bases. These awards demonstrate the talent, passion and commitment that exists within our membership, and it's fantastic to see the judges recognising the exceptional quality and flavour being produced right here in our region."
The awards are expected to provide a significant commercial boost for the winning businesses, helping them secure new retail opportunities and raise their profile among consumers seeking award-winning local produce.
Reflecting on the quality of this year's entries, a Great Taste judge, Zena Leech-Carlton at Love Norwich Food commented:
"As a judge for the awards last year, I appreciated how hard it was to get one-star, let along two or three. I was really impressed with the system that food from all over the world was sent in to be judged. Norfolk never fails to shine!"
The latest results further strengthen East Anglia's reputation as a leading destination for innovative, high-quality food and drink production, with local producers continuing to earn national recognition on one of the industry's biggest stages.
If you’re a food and drink business, or part of the wider ecosystem, get in touch with Tastebuds on how they can support you to innovate and become a success.
