Taste Award Categories
Category code |
Main category name |
Who should enter? |
How will this category be judged? |
Judging criteria |
A |
Meat & Poultry Products |
Those farming or producing or adding-value to fresh meat and poultry products. |
Taste judged by a team of expert judges at one of three regional heats followed by a grand final judging day. |
Appearance, quality of ingredients, texture, taste, innovation and relevance to market. |
B |
Dairy Products |
Producers, manufacturers and processors of dairy products. |
Taste judged by a team of expert judges at one of three regional heats followed by a grand final judging day. |
Appearance, quality of ingredients, texture, taste, innovation and relevance to market. |
C |
Baked & Confectionery Products & Ingredients |
Producers, manufacturers and processors of baked goods and confectionery products. |
Taste judged by a team of expert judges at one of three regional heats followed by a grand final judging day. |
Appearance, quality of ingredients, texture, taste, innovation and relevance to market. |
D |
Drink Products |
Producers, manufacturers and processors of drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic. |
Taste judged by a team of expert judges at one of three regional heats followed by a grand final judging day. |
Character, taste, appearance, smell and drinkability. |
E |
Fish Products
 |
Those farming, producing or adding-value to fresh fish products. |
Taste judged by a team of expert judges at one of three regional heats followed by a grand final judging day. |
Appearance, quality of ingredients, texture, taste, innovation and relevance to market. |
F |
Speciality Products
 |
Producers of condiments, preserves, chutneys, convenience meals and snacks. |
Taste judged by a team of expert judges at one of three regional heats followed by a grand final judging day. |
Appearance, quality of ingredients, texture, taste, innovation and relevance to market. |
G |
Fresh Produce |
Producers, packers and processors of fresh fruit and vegetables. |
Taste judged by a team of expert judges at one of three regional heats followed by a grand final judging day. |
Appearance, quality of ingredients, texture, taste, innovation and relevance to market. |
Special Award Categories
H |
Healthy Eating |
This award recognises producers that are shown to adhere to, or have attempted to improve levels of salt, fat and sugar. |
At the final taste judging, once the results of the taste awards are known. |
Having achieved award status in the taste product category, judges will look at how producers have attempted to make the product more ‘healthy’ and compare them against each other. |
I |
Organic Product |
A product that satisfies the taste criteria and that is recognised and approved by the UK Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROF) or similar. |
At the final taste judging, once the results of the taste awards are known. |
Having achieved award status in the taste product category, the products will be judged further for their overall organic quality and innovation against each other. |
J |
Sustainable Development Award
|
A company that not only produces a product that satisfies the taste criteria but can also demonstrate a sustainable approach to their practices. |
Once the results of the taste awards are known companies will be contacted and asked to complete supplementary forms. Telephone interviews will then be carried out by a professional researcher and a shortlist produced. There will be a final judging day to choose the winner. |
A company that not only produces a product that satisfies the taste criteria but can also, through their processes, intentions, designs or packaging, demonstrate a sustainable approach to their practices that ultimately benefits the environment for all. |
People and Places Award Categories
K |
Retailer of the Year
 |
Excellence in selling and promoting food and drink from Wales by a speciality retailer. The judges will look at delicatessens, butchers, fishmongers, farm shops, farmers’ markets, and online retailers. |
Supplementary information will be requested for this award. This will be paper judged by a team of expert judges. Then a shortlist will be produced and these will be mystery shopped. |
Overall shopping experience, prices, Welsh culture and produce, customer base, staff, promotions, overall food and drink offering. |
L |
Eating Out
http://www.wales.gov.uk/tourism |
Excellence in preparing, serving and promoting food and drink from Wales on the premises by a café, tearoom, coffee shop, pub or restaurant (including those in hotels open to non-residents). |
Both entries and nominations are sought for this award. Supplementary information will also be requested. This award will be paper judged by a team of expert judges. Then a shortlist will be produced and these will be mystery dined. |
Quality of ingredients used, accuracy of the cooking, combination of flavours, innovation and flair, service and overall value for money. |
M |
Farm Enterprise |
Farmers (Individuals or groups) who have demonstrated initiative in working with others in the supply chain to improve product performance or marketability. |
Both entries and nominations are sought for this award. Supplementary information will be requested for this award. This will then be paper judged by a team of expert judges. |
Evidence of awareness of market requirements, evidence of working with others in the supply chain. Awareness of key market drivers, such as localness, distinctiveness of taste or high animal welfare standards. |
N |
Multiple Retailer |
A store manager, regional manager or local sourcing team from a multiple or symbol group who has encouraged products from Wales through local sourcing. |
Both entries and nominations are sought for this award. This will be paper judged to produce a shortlist and then telephone interviews will be carried out by an expert researcher. Expert judges will then make a final decision. |
Variety of Welsh produce stocked, supplier/customer relationships, special services, incentives, promotions, staff training, customer service and general attitude. |
O |
Local Sourcing Initiative |
An initiative that is aimed at increasing the level of sourcing of local produce by either a public or private sector purchasing contract. |
Both entries and nominations are sought for this award. Supplementary information will be requested for this award, and then it will be paper judged by a group of expert judges. |
Value of agreement, term of contract and range of Welsh products involved. |
P |
Food Tourism Destination |
Designed to reward and recognise contributions to promoting Wales as a food tourism destination. |
Entries and nominations are sought for this award. Supplementary information will be requested for this award, and it will be paper judged by a group of expert judges. |
Evidence of a strengthening of the food offer, and the resulting increase in profile achieved. |
Q |
Export Achievement |
Designed to reward and recognise companies that are successfully growing their exports of Welsh food or drink products in one or more overseas markets. |
Supplementary information will be requested for this award, and then it will be paper judged by expert judges. |
which export markets have been entered or achieved growth, the company’s export growth strategy, the challenges faced and how they were overcome, and the size and development of the total export sales. |
R |
True Taste Champion |
Designed to reward and recognise an individual’s contribution towards the Welsh food & drink industry. |
Only nominations are sought for this award. This award will be paper judged by a team of expert judges. |
Key achievements, and the overall individual’s contribution towards the Welsh food & drink industry. |
If you need assitstance choosing your category please call the Awards Advice Hotline on 0800 085 3663
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