European food and drink producers have secured a strong showing at this year’s Great Taste awards, with a Spanish-made Wagyu Beef Ham taking the competition’s ultimate accolade. Produced by family-run Entrepeñas in the mountains of León, the cured beef speciality was awarded three stars, claimed Spain’s Golden Fork and went on to be named Supreme Champion following a final live judging session.
The judges highlighted the ham’s exceptional tenderness and rich, complex beef flavour. The award marks a major achievement for the third-generation family business.
Figures from the Guild of Fine Food’s 2026 results directory show that 124 products from EU member states achieved the coveted three-star rating. This accounts for more than 40% of the 306 products worldwide to receive the highest rating.
The winning entries represented 16 EU member states, with Ireland leading the way with 37 awards, followed by Italy with 24 and Spain with 22. Among the three-star recipients were a number of products carrying Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, including:
- Finocchiona PGI from Italy – A traditional Tuscan pork salami flavoured with fennel seeds or flowers, giving it its characteristic aromatic taste.
- Paški sir PDO from Croatia – A firm sheep’s milk cheese produced on the island of Pag using milk from its native sheep. Its maturation gives it a full-bodied, savoury flavour.
- Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI from Italy – Produced using grape must and wine vinegar, this balsamic vinegar combines sweet and acidic notes and is suitable for dressings, marinades and finishing dishes.
- Reblochon de Savoie PDO from France – A soft cheese with a washed rind, made from raw cow’s milk in the French Alps. It is recognised for its smooth, creamy consistency and subtle nutty taste.
EU products feature among the Golden Fork winners
Following the main judging process, the geographical Golden Fork awards celebrate the highest-scoring products from selected countries and regions. Only entries that have already achieved three stars are eligible, with individual awards covering countries including Ireland, Spain, Greece and Italy, alongside a Rest of Europe category.
Several EU-produced foods and ingredients were among this year’s geographical Golden Fork recipients:
Ireland: Donegal-produced 25% sour cream secured the Golden Fork from Ireland. The recognition highlights how everyday dairy products can deliver outstanding quality and flavour, offering inspiration for retailers and chefs as well as showcasing the value of familiar ingredients.
Greece: Blossom Honey with Thyme and Oregano Honey from Paleros was named the Greek Golden Fork winner. Combining blossom honey with fragrant herbs, the product captures the distinctive flavours of the region and offers versatility for both sweet and savoury recipes.
Italy: Miele di Barena, produced by Apicoltura Marangon in the Po Delta, received the Italian Golden Fork. The honey also secured the People’s Choice award, following a public vote among guests attending the ceremony.
Finland: Kuopion Perinnetuote’s Stone Kiln Cold Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet took the Golden Fork in the Rest of Europe category. The award demonstrates how traditional preparation and smoking techniques can give a familiar fish product a distinctive character.
Spain: Entrepeñas’ Wagyu Beef Ham first secured the Spanish Golden Fork before going on to win the overall Supreme Champion title, placing the León-produced speciality at the top of this year’s competition.
Further recognition for EU producers came through the Nigel Barden Heritage Award, which went to Organic Cashel Blue from Ireland, and the Better Business award, presented to Spanish anchovy producer Anchoas Hazas.
Great Taste offers consumers and trade buyers an independent way to identify food and drink products recognised for their flavour and quality. All entries are assessed through blind tasting, meaning judges evaluate the products without being influenced by their branding or packaging.
Research commissioned by the Guild of Fine Food found that 73% of UK adults who recognise the Great Taste logo regard it as a trustworthy recommendation, while 54% use it as a way of discovering new products.
Patrick McGuigan, cheese advisor to the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign, said: “The number of EU products achieving three stars this year is further evidence of the exceptional quality of food and drink available to UK businesses. Great Taste uses blind judging, meaning every product has been recognised on its own merits and, most importantly, for its flavour.
“For retailers and hospitality operators, the results provide an excellent opportunity to discover producers and ingredients that may not already be on their radar. The Great Taste logo is also widely recognised and trusted by consumers, helping give them the reassurance to explore and purchase something different.
“It is particularly encouraging to see everyday ingredients such as sour cream receiving recognition alongside products including honey, cured meat and smoked fish. The awards demonstrate the breadth of choice available across the EU and highlight how products with distinctive qualities and interesting stories can add something different to retail shelves and hospitality menus.”
More than 15,000 products were submitted for consideration at Great Taste 2026. Of these, just 306 achieved a three-star rating, with the highest-scoring entries subsequently shortlisted for the competition’s 16 Golden Fork awards.
