The 2018 search for foodservice’s most innovative food and drink products culminated in a glittering ceremony last week, as the highly prestigious UK Foodservice Quality Food Awards celebrated the very best of the industry.
Held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, the event welcomed hundreds of the foodservice industry’s key players – from nationwide wholesalers to ground-breaking independents – all keen to see whose products had been judged good enough to receive a highly coveted Quality mark.
From vegan alternatives and punchy new flavour combinations to simple but effective meal solutions and innovative on-the-go options, 2018’s stable of winners had it all. To make it through to the final shortlist, each product was put through its paces by an independent judging panel of development chefs, consultants, nutritionists and industry experts. In all, 32 gongs were awarded on the night. Four further Gold Awards – given for best outright Free-From product, best Meat product, Small Producer of the Year and Foodservice Operator of the Year – were also handed out to rapturous applause from the room.
The winners in full:
- La Boulangerie 20 – Bakery – Bread
- La Boulangerie Big Lemon & Elderflower Cake – Bakery – Cakes & Pastries
- Savse – Super Green Smoothie – Cold Beverages
- Country Range Jamaican Jerk Seasoning – Cooking Ingredients
- Chef’s Larder Tuxford & Tebbutt Blue Stilton – Dairy Products
- Brakes Smoked Houmous with Harissa – Delicatessen
- Brakes Hazelnut Tart – Desserts & Puddings
- Chef’s Larder Premium Luxury Seafood Cocktail – Fish & Shellfish
- Chef’s Larder Premium Beer Battered Onion Rings – Frozen Food – Savoury
- The Great British Ice Cream Company Blood Orange Sorbet – Frozen Food – Sweet
- Simply Lunch, Asian Slaw Salad – Grab & Go
- threesixty° Elevation Coffee Blend – Hot Beverages
- Essentially Catering Tuna in Sunflower Oil – Meal Components
- Brakes Cauliflower, Kale & Ford Farm Oak Smoked Cheddar Burger– Meat-Free Alternatives
- Brakes Mexican Style Quinoa and Turtle Bean Salad – Pulses, Rice & Grains
- Chef’s Larder Cooked Smoked Streaky Sandwich Bacon – Meat
- Chef’s Larder Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips – Bagged Snacks & Biscuits
- Chef’s Larder Premium Gourmet Crackers – Bagged Snacks & Biscuits
- Asda Raspberry Viennese Finger – Bagged Snacks & Biscuits
- Turkey and Stuffing Pie – Christmas Q
- Costa, Shimmering Yule Log – Christmas Q
- Vegan Mayonnaise Alternative – Free From – Savoury
- Ooh-la-la Double Chocolate Hazelnut Tea Biscuit – Free From – Sweet
- Chef’s Larder Premium Super Crisp Sweet Potato Gourmet Fries – Free From – Savoury
- BlackGate Signature 6 Ultimate British Beef Burgers – Free From – Savoury
- Premium Selection Vegan Chocolate and Raspberry Torte – Free From – Sweet
- Chef’s Larder Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Added Ingredients
- Chef’s Larder Beef Lasagne – Pre-prepared Meal Solutions
- BlackGate Signature Premium Traditional Pork Sausages – Meat
- The Real Soup Co., Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup – Pre-prepared Meal Solutions
- Manilife – Maniminis portion packs – Added Ingredients
- Birchstead 21 Day Aged Sirloin – Meat
Gold Winners:
- Bidfood Premium Selection Vegan Chocolate and Raspberry Torte – Free From
- Brakes Birchstead 21 Day Aged Sirloin – Meat
- Manilife – Maniminis Portion Packs – Small Producer
- Booker – Foodservice Operator of the Year
Helen Lyons, Publishing Director at the Foodservice Quality Food Awards, commented: “What a night! Innovation in the foodservice industry is something that should be roundly celebrated, and celebrate we did! Congratulations to all the winners and to every company that took the time to enter. Having been part of the judging process I can attest to just how stringent our judges are and how seriously they take the job in hand. Their commitment to excellence mirrors that of our entrants. Separating the good from the great was no mean feat but we’re confident that we are now left with the standout products of 2018.”
The UK Foodservice Quality Food Awards are supported by headline sponsor Graphic Packaging International.
To find out more about the 2019 scheme visit:http://uk.qualityfoodawards.com
