A traditional family food producer from Spain has taken centre stage at Great Taste 2026, with its Wagyu Beef Ham securing the competition’s highest accolade. The result forms part of a strong performance by European Union food and drink businesses, which collectively accounted for more than 40% of this year’s three-star award recipients.
Entrepeñas, a third-generation producer based in the mountains of León, saw its cured beef ham receive three stars and the Golden Fork for Spain before being named Supreme Champion at the final live tasting. The judging panel highlighted the product’s remarkable tenderness and the intensity of its beef flavour.
The Guild of Fine Food’s 2026 results directory reveals that 124 products from EU member states were awarded three stars, out of 306 winners worldwide. The successful products represented 16 EU countries, with Ireland achieving the highest number at 37, followed by Italy with 24 and Spain with 22.
Among the products achieving three stars were several carrying PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status, including:
- Finocchiona PGI from Italy – A pork-based salami with roots in Tuscany, traditionally prepared with fennel seeds or flowers to give it a recognisable aromatic taste.
- Paški sir PDO from Croatia – Produced on the island of Pag using milk from its native sheep, this traditional hard cheese develops a distinctive, full-flavoured savoury character during maturation.
- Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI from Italy – Made using grape must combined with wine vinegar, this Italian speciality offers a contrast of sweetness and acidity and is well suited to dressings, marinades and finishing dishes.
- Reblochon de Savoie PDO from France – A soft cheese with a washed rind, produced in the French Alps from raw cow’s milk. It is known for its smooth, creamy consistency and mild nutty notes.
EU products among the Golden Fork winners
The Golden Fork awards recognise the highest-scoring products from individual countries and geographical regions once the main judging process has finished. Products must first have achieved a three-star rating to qualify, with awards covering countries such as Ireland, Spain, Greece and Italy, alongside a Rest of Europe category.
EU producers featured prominently among this year’s geographical Golden Fork recipients:
Ireland: The Golden Fork for Ireland went to a 25% sour cream produced in Donegal. Its success highlights the quality that can be achieved in everyday dairy products, demonstrating that familiar kitchen staples can be just as impressive as more specialised food offerings.
Greece: Paleros’ Blossom Honey with Thyme and Oregano Honey received the Greek Golden Fork. The pairing of blossom honey with fragrant herbs gives the product a distinctive local identity and makes it suitable for a variety of sweet and savoury uses.
Italy: Miele di Barena, created by Po Delta-based honey producer Apicoltura Marangon, was named the Italian Golden Fork winner. It also received the People’s Choice award after being selected by guests attending the ceremony.
Finland: Kuopion Perinnetuote’s Stone Kiln Cold Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet was awarded the Golden Fork in the Rest of Europe category. Its recognition demonstrates how specialist preparation and smoking techniques can create a distinctive product from a well-known ingredient.
Spain: Entrepeñas added the Spanish Golden Fork to its achievements with Wagyu Beef Ham, subsequently going on to secure the Supreme Champion title and the competition’s overall top prize.
Further success for EU producers came through the Nigel Barden Heritage Award, which recognised Ireland’s Organic Cashel Blue, and the Better Business award, presented to Spanish anchovy producer Anchoas Hazas.
Great Taste gives food industry professionals and consumers a trusted way to identify products that have been independently recognised for their flavour. Entries are judged through blind tastings, with assessors evaluating the food and drink without seeing the branding or packaging.
Research commissioned by the Guild of Fine Food found that 73% of UK adults who are familiar with the Great Taste logo regard it as a dependable recommendation. The research also showed that 54% use the logo as a guide when looking to discover 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 is another clear indication of the standard of food and drink that UK businesses can access from across Europe. Because Great Taste is judged blind, every successful entry has been rewarded for its own merits, with flavour being the deciding factor.
“For those working in retail and hospitality, the results provide a valuable opportunity to discover different producers and ingredients that may not have been on their shopping lists before. The Great Taste mark is also something many consumers know and trust, helping them feel comfortable experimenting with products they have not previously tried.
“It is particularly rewarding to see everyday foods such as sour cream recognised alongside products including honey, cured meat and smoked fish. The awards highlight the breadth of choice available throughout the EU and demonstrate how products with individual character and a compelling story can offer something new to retail ranges and food service menus.”
More than 15,000 products entered Great Taste 2026, with just 306 achieving the coveted three-star distinction. The highest-rated entries were then assessed for the competition’s 16 Golden Fork awards.
