Three Welsh Products Eye Golden Fork from Wales 2026

Key Points

• There are three Welsh products that have been nominated for the Great Taste Golden Fork from Wales 2026 Award.
• The nominated products are the Passion Fruit Sorbet (Fire and Ice, Pembrokeshire), 100% Grass-fed Leg of Welsh Lamb (Hindwell Farm Meats, Powys) and the Enchilada Paste (Kursat’s, Brecon).
• These three products were previously awarded the 3-star Great Taste Award in 2026, becoming part of just eight Welsh products to receive such an honor.
• The award is sponsored by Food & Drink Wales; the regional winner is scheduled to be announced on 15 September at Battersea Arts Centre in London.
• In 2026, Wales won 169 Great Taste Awards, including 125 one-star, 36 two-star and eight three-star products out of a total of 15,000 entries from 116 different countries.
• MS Llyr Gruffydd, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, congratulated those nominated for demonstrating excellence, creativity and passion in the products from Wales.

Wales (Wales Times) September 04, 2026 – Three Welsh food and drink products have been shortlisted for the Great Taste Golden Fork from Wales 2026, a distinction reserved for the standout Welsh entry among those that achieved the highest 3-star rating in this year’s Great Taste Awards. The shortlist comprises Passion Fruit Sorbet from Pembrokeshire-based Fire and Ice, 100% Grass-fed Leg of Welsh Lamb from Hindwell Farm Meats in Powys, and Enchilada Paste from Kursat’s in Brecon.

As reported by Nation Cymru staff, the shortlist places the three products “among the very best products recognised by the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme”. The Golden Fork from Wales is sponsored by Food & Drink Wales and forms part of a wider UK and Ireland competition that culminates in the Great Taste Supreme Champion title.

What do the producers say about their shortlisting?

Ivan Wilson, owner of Fire and Ice, described the shortlisting as “an incredible honour” and said the Passion Fruit Sorbet was developed through “an experimental approach to product development, with a focus on delivering bold, authentic flavour while creating a less sweet sorbet that offers a truly memorable eating experience”. He added: “Representing Wales on such a prestigious stage means a great deal to us and we look forward to celebrating alongside the other finalists.”

Jess Goodwin, owner of Hindwell Farm Meats, said:

“We’re immensely proud to see our 100% Grass-fed Leg of Welsh Lamb shortlisted for the Golden Fork from Wales.”

Goodwin linked the recognition to on-farm standards, stating:

“Producing high-quality Welsh lamb starts on the farm, and this recognition is a reflection of our commitment to sustainability, animal welfare and exceptional taste.”

Kursat Pisil, director of Kursat’s, called the shortlisting “a huge moment for us” and said the business makes “bold, flavour-led pastes inspired by food from around the world”.

Pisil added:

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our Enchilada Paste recognised at this level. We’re a small Welsh business with big ambitions, and we’re very proud to be representing Wales on the wider food stage.”

How significant is Wales’ performance in the 2026 Great Taste Awards?

Welsh producers secured 169 Great Taste Awards in 2026, according to coverage by Business Wales and Food and Drink Technology. The breakdown includes 125 one-star awards for products judged “simply delicious”, 36 two-star awards for “outstanding” quality, and eight three-star awards for products deemed “exquisite and extraordinary”. The three Golden Fork nominees are among those eight three-star Welsh products.

More than 15,000 products from 116 countries were entered into the 2026 scheme, with each assessed through a rigorous blind-tasting process by panels of industry experts including chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers. Taste is considered first and foremost, followed by appearance, aroma, texture and mouthfeel, with entries judged on their own merit rather than against others in the same category.

What official reaction has there been to the shortlist?

Llyr Gruffydd MS, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, said: “Wales has always punched above its weight when it comes to food and drink, and this year’s Golden Fork from Wales nominees are fantastic examples of the excellence, creativity and passion that define our industry.” He added:

“These nominations showcase the outstanding food we produce and the talented people behind it, while helping to create even more opportunities for Welsh food and drink to flourish.”

In a wider statement on the 169 awards, Gruffydd said:

“The success of Welsh producers in the Great Taste Awards once again demonstrates the exceptional quality, passion and innovation that exists across our food and drink industry.”

He noted that food and drink is “one of Wales’ most important industries” and that the awards “help showcase Welsh products on an international stage, opening doors to new markets and strengthening Wales’ reputation as a producer of outstanding food and drink”.

Which other Welsh businesses were recognised in 2026?

As reported by Business Wales and Food and Drink Technology, Caws Teifi Cheese in Ceredigion secured three 2-star awards for its Teifi Heritage, Celtic Promise and Teifi Mature cheeses. Rob Savage, owner at Caws Teifi Cheese, said the recognition was “incredibly rewarding” because Great Taste judges focus “purely on taste”. He added:

“As a small-scale Welsh food producer, we are dedicated to creating high-quality, handmade cheeses that reflect the place we call home, the skill of our cheesemakers and the value of our business.”

Wrexham-based Tired Mums Coffee also celebrated its most successful Great Taste Awards to date, winning a 2-star award for its ‘Nobody’s Listening To Me’ blend and a 1-star award for ‘Are You Sure It’s Decaf?’. Founder Laura Peill said:

“Winning two Great Taste Awards is an incredible honour and something we’re immensely proud of.”

She added that the awards were “fantastic recognition of the care, expertise and passion that goes into every coffee we source and roast”.

When and where will the Golden Fork from Wales winner be announced?

The winner of the Great Taste Golden Fork from Wales 2026 award will be announced at the Great Taste Golden Fork Awards ceremony at London’s Battersea Arts Centre on 15 September. The regional champion will then compete against other UK and Ireland Golden Fork winners for the overall Great Taste Supreme Champion title.

Background to the Golden Fork from Wales development

The Great Taste Awards are organised by the Guild of Fine Food and are widely regarded as the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme. Products that achieve the highest 3-star rating become eligible for Golden Fork nominations, with a small number selected for regional and national shortlists before a final live judging determines the Supreme Champion. The Golden Fork from Wales is sponsored by Food & Drink Wales and is intended to highlight the strongest Welsh 3-star entrants within the broader UK competition.

This year’s Welsh shortlist follows a pattern of strong performance by small and medium-sized producers across the country, with recognition spanning dairy, meat, condiments, cheese and speciality coffee. The awards are used by retailers, buyers and exporters as a marker of quality and provenance, and are frequently cited in marketing and procurement decisions.

Prediction: how could this development affect Welsh food producers and consumers?

If one of the three shortlisted Welsh products wins the Golden Fork from Wales and progresses in the Supreme Champion competition, the likely effect will be heightened visibility for Welsh brands in retail, hospitality and export channels, given the international profile of the Great Taste scheme. For producers, the additional credential can support pricing power, shelf placement and listing discussions, particularly for small businesses seeking to scale. For consumers in Wales and across the UK, the shortlist reinforces the range of high-quality, locally produced options available, potentially influencing purchasing towards Welsh provenance where taste and quality are prioritised.