Discount retailers have dominated the Quality Food and Drink awards this year, with Aldi and Lidl picking up more than a dozen gongs for their festive offerings.
While Aldi’s Sloe Gin Mince Tarts came out on top for mince pies, Lidl won best overall dessert for its luxury hand-decorated Christmas cake – beating the likes of upmarket retailers such as Fortnum & Mason.
More than 400 judges from the food industry tasted hundreds of product for the Quality Food and Drink Awards.
Aldi picked up two awards and Lidl landed 10, while Asda picked up one and M&S took home four in total
While Aldi’s sloe gin mince tarts came out on top (left), Lidl won best overall dessert for their luxury hand decorated Christmas cake (right)
Products were rated on taste, flavour, texture, aroma, ingredients list, value for money, innovation, aims in the market place, presentation and packaging before winners were announced.
Aldi also picked up a Best Bakery award for its Specially Selected Crackers for Cheese – Charcoal & Cranberry.
Meanwhile Lidl took home ten of the 17 awards for festive food, including Best Christmas Pudding and Best Meat for its Deluxe Broadland Free Range Bronze Turkey.
Of the remaining five prizes, four went to M&S, with its Billionaire Bars picking up the Best Chocolate & Confectionery Award.
Lidl’s deluxe caramelised onion and goats cheese tartlets won the best vegan/vegetarian prize
M&S’s Baked Alaska won the overall Gold Q award, as well as the gong for best frozen dessert.
Asda picked up the final award for its free-from Extra Special Cookie Collection.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Corporate Buying at Aldi, said: ‘We’re delighted that our range of quality food has been recognised as world leaders at such prestigious awards and it’s a real testament to our belief that great quality food doesn’t need to cost the earth.
‘Here at Aldi we’re committed to providing customers with fantastic products at unbeatable prices and it’s always great to know that the experts agree.’
