*Alex James, Mark Hix, Tom Parker-Bowles, Fiona Sims and Charles Campion all battled it out at a top secret judges meeting in Dorset to decide who will be the Supreme Champion of the Great Taste Awards 2008. *
They were joined by the great and good of the food industry, including Trading Director for Fortnum & Mason Simon Burdess, author Glynn Christian, and BBC Radio 2’s Nigel Barden, who chaired the panel.
The debate over who would be this year’s overall champion was the most heated to date, with each of the 12 illustrious foodies ‘championing’ a three-star Gold award-winning food of their choice for the top prize. The Supreme Champion 2008, along with the major trophy winners, will be announced at a ceremony in London on 8 September.
Renowned chef Mark Hix said: “Isn’t it great that small artisan producers can now get their wares into the general public’s larders and fridges … once they have gotten past the Great Taste panel, that is!”
The awards generate huge business for those who achieve gold standard. Last year’s Supreme Champion winner was a free-range pork pie from Walter Smith’s butchers in Birmingham.
Before Walter Smith’s won the Supreme Champion award, pork pies made up less than 1% of its sales. They now represent over 10%, and its pies are sold through Selfridges.
Bob Farrand, National Director of the Guild of Fine Food, said: “These awards have been running for 15 years and are a recognised mark of excellence that consumers can trust and rely on.”
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