Irish Flavors Shine: Record Haul at Prestigious Great Taste Awards

Irish food producers achieve 42 three-star accolades in a standout year.

Ireland’s culinary scene is celebrating an exceptional performance at the 2025 Great Taste Awards, securing a remarkable 42 of the coveted three-star awards. This year’s success marks a significant increase from the 34 top honors achieved in 2024, highlighting the growing prowess of the nation’s food and drink artisans.

Unprecedented Competition

The 2025 awards saw a record-breaking number of entries, with over 14,300 products submitted from 110 countries. A panel of more than 500 industry experts, including renowned chefs, critics, and food writers, dedicated 110 days to meticulously judging each submission. Only a select 1.9 percent of all entries managed to earn the highest three-star rating.

Irish Producers Garner Widespread Recognition

Across all award categories (one, two, and three stars), Irish producers collected a total of 728 accolades. The Republic of Ireland accounted for 588 of these awards, while producers from Northern Ireland secured 140. This recognition underscores the quality and innovation prevalent across the island’s food sector.

Several Irish companies achieved multiple three-star awards, showcasing consistent excellence. Dunnes Stores was lauded for an impressive array of products, including its Unsmoked Irish Boneless Whole Ham and various “Simply Better” offerings like Austrian Organic Venediger-Taler and French Brillat Savarin Affine AOC. Lidl Ireland also received multiple three-star awards for its Deluxe range, featuring items such as the Irish Angus 3 Rib Roast and Confit Duck Legs.

Green Pastures from Donegal earned recognition for its Greek Yoghurt and several dairy products, while J & L Grubb Ltd celebrated wins for its well-regarded Cashel Blue and Crozier Blue cheeses. Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, trading as Supervalu, was awarded for its Smoked Thick Cut Rashers and Signature Tastes Smoked Rack of Bacon.

Northern Ireland’s Brewery Takes Top Honors

From Northern Ireland, Antrim’s Our Brewery achieved a remarkable three three-star awards for its Barrel Aged Wild Ale, Barrel Aged Keptinis Beer, and Barrel Aged Oud Bruin Brown Ale, demonstrating significant expertise in craft brewing.

In 2023, the UK food and drink industry contributed £120 billion to the national economy, with award-winning products often leading the charge in consumer trust and market value (Food & Drink England).

Road to Golden Fork

All three-star Great Taste Award recipients are now eligible for nomination in the prestigious Golden Fork trophies, which will be presented in London on September 9th. This event will also reveal the Supreme Champion product of the year.

Republic of Ireland Three-Star Great Taste Award Winners:

• Achill Mountain Lamb: Achill Mountain Salt Marsh Lamb Rump in a Rosemary, Garlic and Sea Salt Marinade
• Blackwater Honey: Blossom Honey
• Bohó Nibz: Whiskey & Walnut Chocolate Bonbons
• Boyne Valley Cheese: Boyne Valley Bán
• Carlingford Oyster Company LTD: Louet Feisser No 2
• Dunnes Stores: Unsmoked Irish Boneless Whole Ham, Simply Better Austrian Organic Venediger-Taler, Simply Better Austrian organic Glockner-Taler, Simply Better French Brillat Savarin Affine AOC and Simply Better 14 Day Matured Irish Angus Fillet Sharing Steak
• Goatsbridge Fish Processors: Goatsbridge Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillets
• Green Pastures: Greek Yoghurt, 28% Fat Soft Cheese. Creme Fraiche 30%, 18% Sour Cream and 25% Sour Cream
• Green Valley Farm t/a Killowen Yogurt: Killowen Farm Greek Style Blackcurrant Yogurt.
• Huitre Du Connemara LTD: DK Connemara Oysters “The Ladies Choice”
• J & L Grubb Ltd: Cashel Blue and Crozier Blue
• Lidl Ireland: Deluxe Unsmoked Silverside with Brown Sugar Glazing, Deluxe Irish Angus 3 Rib Roast on the Bone 40 Days Matured in Giftbox, 2 Deluxe Irish Duck Breasts with Garlic and Pepper and Deluxe Confit Duck Legs
• McCabe’s Coffee: Espresso 15
• Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland: Supervalu Smoked Thick Cut Rashers and Signature Tastes Smoked Rack of Bacon
• Olly’s Farm: Heather Honey
• OpenHive LTD: OpenHive Heather Honey Cut Comb
• Silver Hill Duck: Silver Hill Duck Confit Legs
• Sunshine Juice: Signature Tastes Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
• Tara Gartlan Chocolate: Brown Butter Cake
• The Farmhouse Bees & Trees Ltd: The Farmhouse Raw Ivy Blossom Honey
• Toons Bridge Dairy: Toons Bridge Dairy Greek Style Buffalo Milk Cheese
• Traditional Cheese Co Ltd: Deluxe Spanish Castellano PGI
• Wexford Home Preserves: Handmade Wexford Blackcurrant Jam

Northern Ireland Three-Star Great Taste Award Winners:

• Abernethy Butter: Cep Miso Butter
• Basalt Distillery Ltd: Basalt Volcanic Rock Gin
• Burren Balsamics: Blackberry & Thyme infused Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
• Corndale Charcuterie: Corndale Farm Chorizo Picante
• Kettyle Irish Foods: Kettyle Salt Moss Aged Ribeye Steak
• Morelli Ice Cream: Morelli’s Sicilian Pistachio Ice Cream
• Our Brewery @ Geterbrewed Ltd: Barrel Aged Wild Ale, Barrel Aged Keptinis Beer and Barrel Aged Oud Bruin Brown Ale.
• Rooney Fish: Millbay Oysters.