Influential food and drink scheme Great Taste judged record number of entries
The world-recognised Great Taste mark of food and drink quality has judged a number of East Yorkshire producers to be among the best. The trusted scheme, run by the Guild of Fine Food, has announced its results for 2025, with a range of businesses from the region scooping the honours.
Celebrating with one two-star award and two one-star awards is an East Riding poultry producer. There are also awards for fish, chocolate and cheesecake, among the local accolades.
T Soanes & Sons (Poultry) Ltd, of Middleton on the Wolds, is celebrating after its Red Tractor-assured Grain Fed and Higher Welfare chicken were awarded accolades. Its Grain Fed Bone In Thighs won a coveted two-star award.
Judges said: “Nicely sizeable thighs suggest the chickens grew to a sound maturity. The meat proved moist, nicely resilient while amply tender, and pleasingly savoury, with something of a sound Sunday roast flavour. The crisp, golden skin is an added pleasure.”
They went on to say: “We are always advocating using thighs instead of breast for their succulence and flavour. These are lovely, meaty chicken thighs, have really crisp skin and offer the promised taste and juiciness.
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“One would be ample for a portion, which is also great. We think these have an exceptional flavour, which is a big and delightful surprise.”
The business’s Higher Welfare Whole Chicken and Grain Fed Skin Off Chicken Breast Fillets both won one-star awards. Ben Lee, Soanes Poultry’s MD, said: “We’re delighted and proud to have won more Great Taste awards, which prove how tasty our chicken is.
“Over the last ten years, our chicken has won 22 of these prestigious awards that are dubbed the Oscars of the food industry.” Soanes Poultry’s chickens are reared by its sister company, Clive Soanes Broilers.
Its MD Claire Wright said: “These awards are testament to our farmers’ high welfare standards and to the skill of our operations team. It’s a real team effort, and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
The Great Taste Awards judging panels consist of over 500 food writers, chefs, producers, and buyers who evaluate products through a blind-tasting process. The awards support and promote food and drink producers, large and small, giving buyers and food lovers in the UK and overseas reliable recommendations for great-tasting food.
Due to Soanes Poultry’s success in the competition over the years, the business can use the coveted Great Taste Producer logo in its marketing materials. The family-owned business has been rearing and preparing chicken since 1947, employs over 160 people and sells its chicken to butchers and independent retailers in Yorkshire, and to wholesalers and catering butchers nationwide.
Great Taste 2025 received a record number of entries, with 14,340 products being submitted from 110 countries across the globe. The North of England served up 1,266 products, 489 of which received awards and in East Yorkshire they include:
Cartwright and Butler
- Acacia Honey with Comb – 2-star
- Hickory Smoked Almonds – 1-star
- Cranberry and Rolled Oat Crumbles – 1-star
- Sea Salted Caramel Biscuits – 1-star
- Triple Chocolate Chunk Biscuits – 1-star
- Ultra Thick Dark Chocolate Orange Biscuits – 1-star
- Pistachio Shortbread Rounds – 1-star
- Demerara Shortbread Rounds – 1-star
- Whisky Fudge – 1-star
- Lemon Curd – 1-star
- Red Onion Chutney – 1-star
Staal Smokehouse Ltd
- Cold Smoked Trout – 2-star
Dan’s Pie Company Ltd
- Steak and Wetherby Brew Ale Pie – 1-star
Drewton’s Ltd
- Basque cheesecake – 1-star
Gemini Chocolate
- The Fruit & Nut One – 1-star
- The Peanut One – 1-star
- The Coconut One – 1-star
Luke’s Bakery
- Olive Sourdough – 1-star
St Helen’s Farm Ltd
- St Helen’s Farm Skimmed Goat’s Milk – 1-star
Warrendale Wagyu Ltd
- Wagyu Brisket – 1-star
- Wagyu Flat Iron Steak 227g – 1-star
York Emporium
- House Espresso – 1-star
- House Espresso Nespresso Pods – 1-star
T Soanes & Sons (Poultry) Ltd
- Grain Fed Chicken Bone In Thighs – 2-star
- Higher Welfare Chicken – 1-star
- Grain Fed Chicken Breast Fillets Skin Off – 1-star
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, said: “Great Taste continues to play its part in international food and drink diplomacy. While the world is in slight chaos, barriers continue to be broken down as our experts assessed entries from over 100 countries.
“Global trends will become more apparent, but rest assured among the list of winners on our directory, you’ll find ingredients and products that should inform your menu, help stock the shelves in store or be a firm favourite in your kitchen cabinet.”