A Spanish family producer has claimed the highest accolade at Great Taste 2026, capping an impressive year for food and drink from across the European Union. Entrepeñas’ Wagyu Beef Ham, made in the mountains of León, was crowned Supreme Champion after outperforming thousands of entries in the prestigious competition.
The cured beef product, created by a third-generation family business, first achieved a three-star rating and secured the Spanish Golden Fork before being selected for the competition’s top award during the final live tasting. Judges singled out its exceptional tenderness and pronounced beef flavour.
The Guild of Fine Food’s 2026 results directory records 124 three-star products from EU member states. This means EU producers accounted for more than 40% of the 306 products worldwide to achieve the competition’s highest rating.
Awards were distributed across 16 EU member states, with Ireland receiving the largest share at 37, followed by Italy with 24 and Spain with 22. Among the successful entries were several products protected under the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) schemes:
- Finocchiona PGI from Italy – A classic Tuscan salami produced from pork and flavoured with fennel seeds or flowers, which provide its distinctive fragrant character.
- Paški sir PDO from Croatia – A traditional hard cheese made from the milk of native sheep on the island of Pag. Its ageing process produces a rich and savoury taste.
- Aceto Balsamico di Modena PGI from Italy – This balsamic vinegar is made using grape must and wine vinegar, creating a combination of sweetness and acidity that works well in dressings, marinades and as a finishing touch to dishes.
- Reblochon de Savoie PDO from France – Originating in the French Alps, this soft washed-rind cheese is made with raw cow’s milk and is valued for its creamy consistency and gentle nutty notes.
EU producers celebrate success in the Golden Fork awards
The geographical Golden Fork awards are presented after the main judging has concluded, recognising the highest-scoring entries from selected countries and regions. Eligibility is restricted to products that have already achieved three stars. Awards are presented across a number of categories, including Ireland, Spain, Greece and Italy, as well as a Rest of Europe category.
Among the EU products to receive geographical Golden Fork recognition were:
Ireland: A 25% sour cream produced in Donegal was named the country’s Golden Fork winner. Its success demonstrates that everyday food products can achieve the same outstanding recognition as more specialist ingredients, providing inspiration for retailers and chefs.
Greece: Paleros-produced Blossom Honey with Thyme and Oregano Honey took the Greek Golden Fork. The combination of blossom honey and fragrant herbs gives the product a distinctive regional flavour, while offering plenty of possibilities for use in sweet and savoury cooking.
Italy: Miele di Barena, made by Po Delta honey producer Apicoltura Marangon, was awarded Italy’s Golden Fork. The product enjoyed further success by winning the People’s Choice award, following a vote by guests at the awards ceremony.
Finland: Kuopion Perinnetuote received the Golden Fork for the Rest of Europe category with its Stone Kiln Cold Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet. The award highlights the way traditional processing and smoking methods can transform a familiar ingredient into a distinctive speciality product.
Spain: Entrepeñas secured the Spanish Golden Fork with its Wagyu Beef Ham before going on to achieve the overall Supreme Champion award. The success puts the León producer’s cured meat at the forefront of this year’s competition.
Additional awards for EU producers included the Nigel Barden Heritage Award, presented to Ireland’s Organic Cashel Blue, and the Better Business award, which recognised Spanish anchovy producer Anchoas Hazas.
Great Taste gives consumers and food industry buyers an independent benchmark when selecting products based on flavour and quality. Every entry is evaluated through blind tasting, ensuring that decisions are made without judges seeing the product’s branding or packaging.
Research commissioned by the Guild of Fine Food revealed that 73% of UK adults familiar with the Great Taste logo regard it as a reliable recommendation. Meanwhile, 54% said they use the logo to help them find products they have not tried before.
Patrick McGuigan, cheese advisor to the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign, said: “The strong performance of EU products in this year’s three-star awards provides further proof of the quality of food and drink available to UK businesses. Great Taste is assessed through blind judging, meaning every product has to stand on its own merits and demonstrate the quality that matters most: its taste.
“For retailers and hospitality businesses, the successful products present an excellent opportunity to discover new producers and ingredients that might not previously have been considered. The Great Taste logo is also a familiar and trusted mark for many consumers, giving them added reassurance when choosing to try something different.
“I am especially delighted that everyday products such as sour cream have been recognised alongside honey, cured meat and smoked fish. The results demonstrate the incredible range of food and drink available across the EU. They also show how products with their own distinctive character and heritage can introduce something new and interesting to a retail range or menu.”
Great Taste 2026 attracted more than 15,000 product entries, but only 306 were awarded three stars. The highest-scoring products from this group then went forward for consideration in the competition’s 16 Golden Fork categories.
