2023 Great Taste Awards
Posted on 2 September 2023
Sound the trumpets! Unfurl the banners! Pull that fiddly bit of string on the bottom of the party poppers! The judges have picked the winners of this year’s Great Taste Awards. And, once again, we’ve won a hatful.
24 COOK dishes have been recognised with a coveted golden star. Huge congratulations to everyone working at our kitchens in Kent and Somerset. It’s their dedication, teamwork and cooking skills that make all the difference.
Take a look below and shop our award winners!
Go to Award Winning Puddings
Duck & Plum Paté
A smooth, rich handmade duck liver paté with lightly-spiced poached plums.
"This is rich, smooth, full of creamy duck flavours, and much enhanced by the spiced plums."
Great Taste Award Judge
Beef Stroganoff
Pieces of silverside beef and roasted mushrooms in a creamy sherry, brandy and paprika sauce.
"A lovely, creamy and boozy sauce with generous amounts of mushrooms and beef."
Great Taste Award Judge
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Chicken, Pea & Bacon Risotto
Ribe risotto rice, shredded higher-welfare British chicken, smoky bacon and peas with a mascarpone and crème fraîche sauce with white wine, garlic and lemon.
"This sauce is rich with signs of creamy mascarpone. The chicken pieces are generous and flavourful."
Great Taste Award Judge
Meatballs in a Rustic Tomato Sauce
Hand-rolled balls of minced beef and pork, seasoned with red pesto, chilli and garlic, served in a rich tomato sauce.
"Clearly handmade...the sauce is the real highlight."
Great Taste Award Judge
Meatballs in a Rustic Tomato Sauce
Halloumi, Red Pepper & Spinach Stacks
Handmade stacks of blended spinach and ricotta, with a layer of chargrilled aubergines and red peppers, topped with halloumi slices dressed with sesame and dill.
"A treat for the eyes and a delicious feast on the palate."
Great Taste Award Judge
Halloumi, Red Pepper & Spinach Stacks
Red Thai Chicken Curry
A warming Thai curry made with marinated higher-welfare British chicken breast, red peppers, coconut milk, tamarind and kaffir lime leaf.
"This dish has a true authentic taste of Thai curry - commendable in a ready meal."
Great Taste Award Judge
Chicken and Mushroom Lasagne
Higher-welfare British chicken in a rich tomato sauce, and a layer of mushrooms and spinach between Italian pasta sheets, with a classic béchamel topped with mature Cheddar, Regato cheese and basil.
"It feels fresh and authentic."
Great Taste Award Judge
Keralan Prawn & Mango Curry
Plump, sustainably-sourced king prawns in a light, fragrant turmeric and coconut sauce with spinach and curry leaves, topped with sweet mango and chilli.
"The sauce is delicately spiced and there is a welcome sweetness from the mango."
Great Taste Award Judge
Roasted Vegetable Lasagne
Layers of roasted peppers, mushrooms, courgettes and spinach between sheets of Italian pasta with a light crème fraiche and mascarpone sauce.
"There is a good balance of sweetness, earthiness, creaminess and tang."
Great Taste Award Judge
Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Risotto
Creamy risotto with basil, mozzarella, mascarpone and white wine, topped with semi-dried tomatoes, pine nuts and a knob of lemon and parsley butter.
"The overall taste develops well, and the rice is very well cooked, using the right rice has given the finished dish balance - this risotto hasn't been rushed!"
Great Taste Award Judge
Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Risotto
Mac Cheese with Smoky Bacon
An indulgent macaroni cheese with vintage West Country Cheddar and smoked bacon, topped with a crispy garlic and parsley crumb.
"A warming and indulgent ready meal."
Great Taste Award Judge
Roasted Pepper and Goat's Cheese Quiche
A stunning roasted pepper and goat's cheese quiche. Delicious served hot or cold.
"This is a delicious homely tart that would be a crowd-pleaser."
Great Taste Award Judge
Roasted Pepper and Goat's Cheese Quiche
Award Winning Puddings
In the beginning, our puddings were made in an actual home kitchen in a suburban semi. These days, they emerge from a specially-built kitchen in Ilton, Somerset. What’s unchanged is that everything is done by hand. The rolling, icing, piping and dusting… It all confirms our strongest-held belief: that nothing beats food made by people with love and care. After a mouthful of one of our award-winning creations, we’re confident you’ll agree.
Cherry Bakewell Pudding
Perfectly fluffy almond frangipane sponge with sour cherries and two spoonfuls of handmade sweet cherry jam.
"A delicious sponge cake with a great balance of sweet and sour flavours."
Great Taste Award Judge
Chocolate and Raspberry Roulade
A rich chocolate roll generously filled with whipped cream and raspberries.
"A moist and airy sponge, with a pleasing thickness and a good sponge-to-filling ratio."
Great Taste Award Judge
Chocolate and Raspberry Roulade
Apricot & Orange Almond Torte
A ground almond and polenta torte soaked in orange syrup, with apricot halves and flaked almonds.
"The pudding is truly scrumptious and moreish."
Great Taste Award Judge
Lemon Cheesecake
Every cheesecake in the world will bow before this, its epic, lemony ruler with its biscuity bottom and light, zesty top.
"A beautiful balancing act we really couldn't fault."
Great Taste Award Judge
Sticky Toffee Pudding
A sumptuously dark, fluffy all-butter sponge made with dates, vanilla and a deliciously sticky toffee sauce.
"This has been well crafted, and would appeal to any seasoned STP fan."
Great Taste Award Judge
Gin & Tonic Semifreddo
Frozen lemon gin parfait, topped with lemon curd made with gin and Indian Fever-Tree tonic.
"The cream and lemon curd topping is not too sweet, and overall, this is a delightful summer treat dessert."
Great Taste Award Judge
Bramley Apple & Blackberry Crumble
Sweet apple slices and plump blackberries beneath a golden oat crumble.
"The apple and blackberry are brightly fruity and juicy, nicely tart and delightfully tender, too."
Great Taste Award Judge
Bramley Apple & Blackberry Crumble
Hot Chocolate Pudding
An intense and gooey chocolate sponge, dark chocolate chips, and spoonfuls of hot chocolate fondant sauce, finished with a speculoos biscuit crumb.
"There is no need to make a fondant when you can buy one as good as this."
Great Taste Award Judge
Summer Pudding
A classic summer pudding, bursting with blackcurrants, redcurrants, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries.
"What a giant showstopper!!! This is packed to the hilt with berries and with almost illegal levels of juiciness."
Great Taste Award Judge
Raspberry Pavlova
A light pavlova roll packed with fresh cream and raspberries. A firm favourite since day one at COOK.
"The meringue held a gentle crunch that was very pleasing and we felt that we would be proud to serve this at a family lunch."
Great Taste Award Judge
Belgian Chocolate Yule Log
A classic dark chocolate sponge covered with chocolate buttercream, with a snowy, sugary dusting.
"It is honest and seems truly home made - we would happily pass this off as our own and accept the compliments!"
Great Taste Award Judge
Mini Mince Pies
12 x Individual mini mince pies – mincemeat encased in a shortcrust pastry.
"They are easily enjoyable and simply palate-pleasing."
Great Taste Award Judge