The Grocer Own-Label Awards 2022: the winners

Alcoholic Drinks

Eidyn Premium Scottish Cherry Blossom Gin

Aldi

Packed in a delightfully ornate bottle, this fruit-flavoured gin is made for Aldi by The Old Curiosity Distillery, in Edinburgh. All the botanicals are grown and hand-picked from the distillery’s own garden. Our judges called the small-batch tipple a “standout product”, with a “liqueur-like” taste that made it ideal for consumers who like a sweeter gin.

Bakery & Cakes

Extra Special Sticky Toffee Cake

Asda

With its indulgent toffee topping, this hand-finished cake effortlessly delivers on taste and texture. A bakery twist on a classic hot dessert, it is rich, moist, fruity and gently spiced. It was a “really good all-round cake”, our judges said, while the spice “helps to offset the sweetness” to provide a superb balance of flavour.

Burgers & Sausages

Specially Selected The Ultimate Burger

Aldi

Aldi’s take on the barbecue staple is made with British brisket and chuck, bone marrow and fermented rice – a combination of ingredients that provides richness and a pleasing umami taste. Our judges highlighted the choice of beef cuts, its “really good meat flavour”, “juiciness” and “premium feel”.

Cheese

Specially Selected Smouldering Ember Oak Fired Red Leicester

Aldi

“When oak smoked, our classic red leicester transforms into quite something else,” says Aldi. It’s made with 100% British cows milk and comes in 100% recyclable packaging. Our judges were especially delighted by the cheese’s flavour, describing it as “deep and robust” and “very rounded and full”.

Confectionery/sustainability

Way to Go Caramelised Almonds & Sea Salt Milk Chocolate

Lidl

This Fairtrade chocolate bar is made with sustainable Ghanaian cocoa. The altruistic credentials – which also secured it top prize in the Sustainability category – are matched by its stylish looks. Eye-catching packaging tells the story of the product and its mission, while the chocolate itself, judges found, was “creamy and very moreish”.

Deli

Taste the Difference Summer Edition Sriracha Style Rippled Houmous

Sainsbury’s

This beautifully presented seasonal dip had the highest quality aroma, flavour and texture, judges said, also applauding the pack’s attractive cardboard sleeve. Overall, “good value for money” at £2 for 200g and incredibly appealing, they added.

Desserts

No.1 Blood Orange & White Chocolate Quenelle

Waitrose

Here is Belgian white chocolate mousse with a centre of tangy blood orange compote, on a Belgian chocolate base studded with cranberries. Part of Waitrose’s range for Christmas 2022, this striking dessert was a smash with judges. It was “an amazing product” and “a real treat”, with a “lovely” balance of flavours.

Festive Savoury

Plant Menu No Turkey Crown with Crumb

Aldi

Aldi’s contribution to a vegan Christmas includes this sliceable centrepiece. It’s described by its supplier as a “turkey-style soya joint”. Filled with cranberry and chestnut stuffing, it’s topped with a smoky cranberry & herb crumb. Our judges described it as “absolutely delicious” and “great value” at £3.99.

Festive Sweet

Heston’s Pear & Fig Mince Pies in Triple Cheese Pastry

Waitrose

Waitrose has claimed a market first with this posh “sweet and savoury mince pie hybrid” – developed “to deliver a twist on the familiar”. Our judges were deeply impressed by this “really innovative” festive treat – from the “excellent” pastry and “great balance of flavour” to its value for money (at £3.50 for six pies).

Fish

No.1 Whisky Smoked Salmon

Waitrose

Waitrose’s winning product, added for Christmas, is salmon cured in Speyside malt scotch and smoked over oak chips from barrels used for whisky production. “Alcohol flavoured and cured is a key trend at Christmas,” Waitrose explains. Praise from our judges focused on the “great texture” and “good smoky flavour”.

Frozen

Specially Selected Garlic & Herb Argentinian Prawns

Aldi

This 250g bag of Argentine red shrimp promises to be “rich and aromatic”. Judges found the garlicky prawns had “a lovely flavour”, making them good value at £4.49. While “slightly chewy”, the prawns “would be good with pasta or rice”. Overall, the product was very much in line with Aldi’s other frozen seafood offers and highly appealing, our panel agreed.

Home Baking

Garlic Focaccia Mix

Waitrose

Lockdowns may have driven a surge in home baking, but UK shoppers are “still looking for convenience”, Waitrose says. Hence this Garlic Focaccia Mix, which requires only olive oil, water and sea salt. Judges heaped praise on the finished loaf, with comments including “authentic flavour”, “really lovely”, “impactful”, “fun” and “garlic bread heaven”.

Meat & Game

Summer Sharing Slow Cooked Korean Style Beef Ribs

Waitrose

This outstanding product, says Waitrose, offers “an on-trend flavour profile and galbi-style ribs, which are authentic to Korea”. They arrived in time for summer after discussions on social about Korean galbi ribs increased 24% year on year, the retailer adds. Judges said they were excellent quality, succulent and superbly balanced in flavour.

Poultry

Deluxe Corn Fed Free Range Whole Chicken

Lidl

Our judges were bowled over by this £3.99-per-kilo product. They described it as a “quality roast chicken”. It was “tender, cooked well and had a great cooked colour”. Not to forget the “lovely aroma” and “juicy texture”. All in all, our panel felt this was an excellent example of a tasty, unfussy and great-value option.

Pork

Slow Cooked Mexican Inspired Pork Al Pastor

Waitrose

Brits are on the hunt for “authentic Mexican recipes that are lighter and healthier”, Waitrose says. To that end, the grocer added this pork shoulder, slow-cooked in a mild chipotle rub with salsa. Our judges said the product was “superb tasting” and of much higher quality than the on-pack photography suggested.

Ready Meals