Best food and drink products from Oxfordshire

Following 14 weeks of judging, the results of the world’s most trusted food and drink awards have been announced with winners from the county. 

Blind tasted by 144 judges, the iconic black and gold label is not only a badge of honour but a signpost to an outstanding product. 

Recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike, Great Taste values delicious taste above all else, with no regard for branding and packaging. 

There were 12,777 entries into Great Taste this year from 106 countries.  Of those products, 205 have been awarded a 3-star, 1,294 received a 2-star and 3,818 were awarded a 1-star accolade. 

Oxfordshire proudly produced 55 winners, including six producers being awarded the highly coveted three-stars. 

Goring and Streatley based company, Swaadish, were the winners of two single-star awards for their remarkable curry sauce.

Created using authentic Gujarat family recipes and techniques the sauces make it easy to make a high-end Indian meal at home. 

Started by four Gujarat sisters and one of the UK's leading street food traders, the business creates tasty, punchy and healthy sauces which can be brought online or in a range of retailers across the county. 

Jez Felwick, co-owner of Swaadish, said: "I just don't believe there is anything as tasty out there in a jar and everyone I give them to agrees. 

"To have the judges and the awards say how fanastic they are it really gives you the belief of how great they truly are and backs up what you're doing."

Swaadish were awarded one-star for their fenugreek and pomegranate curry sauce  plus their kalonji curry sauce.

The Oxford Artisan Distillery were also in receipt of an award by the Guild of Fine Food for the Great Taste Awards. 

Their signature Oxford rye organic dry gin was awarded one-star by the judges for its full bodied flavour. 

Distiller, Michael Hunter, said: "Our flagship gin is strong and juniper led with a couple of interesting quirks and flavours that really make it stand out. 

"We're all so happy and proud of the gin we've created, it's been a massive success and this award is testament to that."

This year’s winners have been found through a combination of remote judging and socially distanced judging sessions, after the lockdown began just one week into the schedule.

As a result, the Great Taste judging process was reinvented to maintain a robust judging standard that did not compromise the quality of feedback to participants. 

Released in September the awards have come as a much needed boost to the food and drinks industry pre-Christmas. 

John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, organisers of Great Taste, said: "Building upon the recent increase in trade for both regional food producers and retailers, one of the few good news stories during lockdown, the Great Taste results will help to stimulate much-needed consumer support for independent retail and hospitality over the coming months, as the nation moves towards the most important Christmas period in a generation."

Search through all of the Oxfordshire winners in the table below:

Have you tried any of these products? Let us know in the comments below.