Food and drink businesses from across Wales are celebrating success after securing accolades in the prestigious Great Taste Awards 2026, further strengthening Wales’ reputation as a producer of exceptional food and drink enjoyed across the UK and around the world.
The Guild of Fine Food has announced that 169 products from Wales have received Great Taste Awards this year, including 125 1-star awards, recognising products that are ‘simply delicious’, 36 2-star awards for ‘outstanding’ products, and eight coveted 3-star awards for products judged to be ‘exquisite and extraordinary. More than 15,000 products from 116 countries were entered into the competition, with each product judged through a rigorous blind-tasting process by industry experts.
Llyr Gruffydd MS, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, said: “The success of Welsh producers in the Great Taste Awards once again demonstrates the exceptional quality, passion and innovation that exists across our food and drink industry. To see 169 Welsh products recognised in a global competition is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the dedication of our producers, growers and manufacturers.
“Food and drink is one of Wales’ most important industries and these awards help showcase Welsh products on an international stage, opening doors to new markets and strengthening Wales’ reputation as a producer of outstanding food and drink. I would like to congratulate every Welsh business that has received recognition this year.”
Among the Welsh producers celebrating success are Caws Teifi Cheese, the pioneering organic cheesemaker based in Ceredigion, which secured three 2-star awards for its Teifi Heritage, Celtic Promise and Teifi Mature cheeses. Established more than four decades ago, the company has built an international reputation for producing artisan organic cheese using traditional methods and milk sourced from local farms.
Rob Savage, owner at Caws Teifi Cheese, said: “We’re delighted to have received this recognition from the Great Taste Awards. These awards are highly respected throughout the food industry because products are judged purely on taste, so to see a number of our cheeses recognised is incredibly rewarding.
“As a small-scale Welsh food producer, we are dedicated to creating high-quality, handmade cheeses that reflect the place we call home, the skill of our cheesemakers and the value of our business. We remain firmly committed to prioritising people over automation, the environment over short-term profit and diversity over homogeneity. It is fantastic to see Welsh food continuing to gain recognition alongside some of the very best products from around the world.”
Meanwhile, Wrexham-based Tired Mums Coffee is also celebrating its most successful Great Taste Awards to date. Founded by Laura Peill, the speciality coffee company creates ethically sourced blends designed to fit into busy everyday lives while supporting parent wellbeing through its commitment to donating a percentage of sales to charitable causes. The business secured both a 1-star and a 2-star award, with judges praising the flavour, balance and complexity of its coffees during the judging process.
Its award-winning products included the 2-star ‘Nobody’s Listening To Me’ blend and the 1-star ‘Are You Sure It’s Decaf?’.
Laura Peill, founder of Tired Mums Coffee, said: “Winning two Great Taste Awards is an incredible honour and something we’re immensely proud of. As a small independent Welsh business, it means so much to see our coffees recognised on a national stage alongside some of the very best food and drink producers in the country.
“Receiving a two-star award for Nobody’s Listening To Me and a one-star award for Are You Sure It’s Decaf? is fantastic recognition of the care, expertise and passion that goes into every coffee we source and roast. We’re proud to be flying the flag for Welsh food and drink and sharing our award-winning coffees with customers across the UK.”
The Great Taste Awards are widely regarded as the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme. Products are assessed by hundreds of chefs, buyers, food writers, retailers and industry experts, with only a small proportion achieving the highest three-star rating.
Taste is considered first and foremost, followed by appearance, aroma, texture and mouthfeel. Each entry is judged on its own merit rather than against others in the same category, with producers providing factual information to support the judging process.
The celebration of this year’s winners will continue at the Great Taste Golden Fork Awards ceremony at Battersea Arts Centre in London on 15 September, where the Great Taste 2026 Supreme Champion will be announced. Wales will be strongly represented, with three of its 3-star award-winning products shortlisted for the coveted Great Taste Golden Fork from Wales, sponsored by Food & Drink Wales.
- Passion Fruit Sorbet from Fire and Ice
- 100% Grass-fed Leg of Welsh Lamb from Hindwell Farm Meats
- Enchilada Paste from Kursat’s
The Golden Fork from Wales celebrates the very best of Welsh food and drink, with the winner going on to compete against other regional champions for the prestigious Great Taste Supreme Champion title.
