The Great Taste Awards have today revealed a long list of accolades to an impressive number of brands, both at home and abroad.
Recognised as a stamp of excellence, the accreditation scheme, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, values taste above all else.
The annual awards see a panel of judges – made up of chefs, restaurateurs, producers, critics, writers and journalists – invited to test a variety of products, each of which has been stripped of its packaging and branding.
Laura and Tom of Wexford Home Preserves
This year, a variety of Irish businesses were celebrated, with each earning a 1-star, 2-star or 3-star listing. You can see the full list at the bottom of this article.
Following the announcement, a small number of this year’s 3-star products were shortlisted from across the entire competition for the prestigious Golden Fork awards, recognising the very best food and drink in the world.
This year, three products from Ireland and three products from Northern Ireland have made the shortlist.
Golden Fork Ireland
Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers, Organic Cashel Blue
Green Pastures Donegal, 25% Sour Cream
Wexford Home Preserves, Blackcurrant Jam
Golden Fork Northern Ireland
Hannan Meats, Buttermilk Dry Cure Bacon Rack
Hannan Meats, Buttermilk Bone-In Pork Chop
The Curly Pigs, Coppa
Winners will be announced at a dedicated Golden Forks ceremony later this year.
3-Star products in Ireland for 2026
25% Sour Cream, Green Pastures (Donegal)
63% Dark Chocolate Croithlí Whiskey Infused, Coco Milis
Aldi Specially Selected Wicklow Butterfly Lamb Leg Fillet with Salt & Pepper, Irish Country Meats
Bright Meat Company Quality Beef with a lower carbon footprint 30 Days Matured Thick Cut Irish Beef Fillet Steak, Kepak Watergrasshill
Carlingford no 3, Carlingford Oyster Company Ltd
Clonbawn Irish Sour Cream Full Fat, Aldi Ireland
Connacht Gold Pure Irish Butter, Aurivo Co-Operative Society Limited
Coolattin Mature Cheddar, Coolattin Cheddar Ltd
Deluxe Spanish Castellano PGI, Traditional Cheese Co Ltd
Do Me A Flavour Truffle & Pink Peppercorn Butter, Do Me A Flavour
Dunnes Stores Creamy & Nutty Gubbeen Cheese, Dunnes Stores
Dunnes Stores Simply Better French Brillat Savarin Affine AOC, Dunnes Stores
Dunnes Stores Simply Better French Reblochon De Savoie PDO, Dunnes Stores
Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade Sticky Toffee Pudding Crown, Dunnes Stores
Heritage Cure Ham, James Whelan Butchers
Ivy Blossom Honey, Honey Harvest
Killadoon Milk – whole milk, Killadoon Milk
Lidl Deluxe Bronze Turkey Crown Dressed with Bacon Lattice & Butter 1.8kg, Lidl Ireland
Lidl Deluxe Irish Angus 3 Rib Roast on the Bone 40Days Matured in Giftbox 2.5-3.5kg, Lidl Ireland
Lidl Deluxe Lamb Rump Roast with Sea Salt, Garlic and Rosemary 400g, Lidl Ireland
Lidl Deluxe Parmigiano Reggiano DOP 30M 200g, Lidl Ireland
Molloy Honey, Molloy Honey
Organic Cashel Blue, Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers
Signature Tastes Slow Cooked Irish Hampshire Ham on the Bone with Light Muscovado Sugar & an Orange Blossom Honey Glaze, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland
Signature Tastes Irish Hereford Cote de Boeuf Steak, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland
Signature Tastes Unsmoked Irish Hampshire Ham Fillet, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland
Silver Hill Duck Fillets, Silver Hill Duck
Specially Selected Irish Black Angus Fillet Steak, Aldi Ireland
Specially Selected Wild Sage & Sauteed Onion Sourdough Stuffing, Aldi Ireland
The Farmhouse Raw Ivy/Heather Fusion Honey, The Farmhouse Bees & Trees Ltd
Wexford Home Preserves Blackcurrant Jam, Wexford Home Preserves
wild blackberry with winter spices balsamic, Wildwood Vinegars
Woodcock Smokery Woodcock Smokery
3-Star products in Northern Ireland for 2026
Braised Beef with Blue Cheese Crumble Pie, Pie NI Limited
Buttermilk Bone in Pork Chop, Hannan Meats Ltd.
Buttermilk Boneless Pork Loin Joint, Hannan Meats Ltd.
Buttermilk Dry Cure Bacon Rack, Hannan Meats Ltd.
Coppa, The Curly Pigs
Guanciale, Ispini Charcuterie
Low Land – Oud Bruin – Flemish Brown Ale, Our Brewery @ Geterbrewed Ltd
Salt Aged Buttermilk Bone in Rind on Pork Belly, Hannan Meats Ltd.
Séasúr – Mixed Ferm Saison, Our Brewery @ Geterbrewed Ltd
Sugar Pit Buttermilk Bacon Chop, Hannan Meats Ltd.
Sugar Pit Buttermilk Bacon Rack, Hannan Meats Ltd.
Wild Sika Venison French Rack, Baronscourt Estate
Wild Sika Venison Loin, Baronscourt Estate
Dining and Cooking