Today, 16 September, the Guild of Fine Food is releasing details on the Great Taste 2026 Golden Forks. The award ceremony took place at Battersea Arts Centre in London last night, bringing together some of the best food and drink producers in the world.
The most delicious product from Rest of World has been announced as Hung Lay Curry Paste from Payst in Highbury, London, www.payst.co.uk. The freshly-made, classic northern Thai paste was one of over 15,000 entries to enter Great Taste this year.
The other nominees for the Golden Fork from Rest of World were Sainfoin Honey from Maliks Honey, in London (from Kyrgztan), www.malikshoney.com and Kombu Golden Smile Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce from DoYouBo Industry Co. in Pingtung County, Taiwan, www.mitdub.com.
Hung Lay Curry Paste from Payst was picked from 306 3-star award-winning products from across the world and went through three separate rounds of judging to achieve the Golden Fork accolade. It stood out because it was beautifully conceived and expertly balanced using excellent ingredients. The judges felt that it shouted of Thailand and felt genuinely homemade. The aromatic paste was properly cooked down, giving convenience without compromise. The balance of sweet, savoury, fruit and aromatics was perfect, giving it an authentic flavour profile that was also very comforting.
There were 17 Golden Forks announced at last night’s event, including the Great Taste 2026 Supreme Champion, which went to Wagyu Beef Ham from Entrepeñas (www.embutidosentrepenas.es). For the first time ever, the Supreme Champion was selected in a live judging session on the night. Judges included; Dhruv Baker, Ixta Belfrage, Marie Mitchell, Jose Pizarro, Nicola Waller, Regula Ysewijn MBE and Jesse Jenkins.
Esteemed chef, Jose Pizarro, one of the final decision makers said of the Supreme Champion: “The meat was “incredibly tender”, adding that the oils in the product carried the flavour perfectly.
“It was juicy, beautiful, the ruby colour was just absolutely right, and when you taste it, the flavour is everything.””.
John Farrand, managing director, Guild of Fine Food added: “It’s not at all easy to grab an award in Great Taste. 60% of products do not achieve any star-rating, and at just 2% of all entries, the 3-stars are rare as hen’s teeth. A Golden Fork is a triumph. Being crowned Supreme Champion is something else entirely and we are both hugely impressed and delighted for Entrepeñas. This year, Great Taste has moved the dial yet again in terms of quality, with outstanding products being celebrated from across the globe. I’m proud that our awards help makers grow and improve their products and that our logo informs trade buyers, and ultimately food lovers, enabling them to make buying decisions that are better for the planet and people and, of course, taste bloody great.”
The Great Taste 2025 Golden Forks results are as follows:
Golden Fork from England: Eggleston from Primrose Creamery (www.primrosecreamery.com)
Golden Fork from Scotland: Sicilian Blood Orange & Warm Spices Alcohol Free Aperitif from Sour Power Vinegars (www.sourpowervinegars.com)
Golden Fork from Wales: Passion Fruit Sorbet from Fire and Ice (www.fireandicewales.co.uk)
Golden Fork from Northern Ireland: Buttermilk Dry Cure Bacon Rack from Hannan Meats (www.hannanmeats.com)
Golden Fork from Ireland: 25% Sour Cream from Green Pastures Donegal (www.greenpasturesdonegal.com)
Golden Fork from Spain: Wagyu Beef Ham from Entrepeñas (www.embutidosentrepenas.es)
Golden Fork from Greece: Blossom Honey with Thyme and Oregano from Μελι απο την Πάλαιρο (Honey from Paleros)
Golden Fork from Italy: Miele di Barena from Apicoltura Marangon (www.apicolturamarangon.it)
Golden Fork from the Rest of Europe: Stone Kiln Cold Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet from Kuopion Perinnetuote (www.perinnetuote.fi)
Golden Fork from the Rest of World: Hung Lay Curry Paste from Payst (www.payst.co.uk)
Golden Fork for Outstanding Bursary Winner: Lindley from Primrose Creamery (www.primrosecreamery.com)
Golden Fork for Sustainability: Kadode Kampot Pepper, (www.kadodepepper.co.uk)
Golden Fork for Better Business: Anchoas Hazas (www.anchoashazas.com)
Nigel Barden Heritage Award: Organic Cashel Blue from Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers (www.cashelblue.com)
Guild of Fine Food Contribution to Food & Drink: Nigel Barden
The People’s Choice Golden Fork: Miele di Barena from Apicoltura Marangon (www.apicolturamarangon.it)
Great Taste 2025 Supreme Champion: Wagyu Beef Ham from Entrepeñas (www.embutidosentrepenas.es)
The Guild of Fine Food is grateful to our sponsors and supporters:
Andrew Ingredients | Bord Bia | Cotswold Fayre | Food and Drink Wales | Invest NI | Italian Trade Agency | Scotland Food & Drink | Speciality & Fine Food Fair | WBC Packaging & Display
The Golden Forn from Rest of World was sponsored by Speciality & Fine Food Fair