The Guild of Fine Food is offering 50 startups the chance to put a product in front of its expert panel of Great Taste judges for free.
The bursary – aimed at “micro producers” who have never entered Great Taste before, or who have a new product that has never been entered before – is open to businesses under two years old, with a turnover of less than £100k.
Each business can enter only one product, which must be commercially available in the UK.
Entries have opened for members of the Guild of Fine Food only, with general entries opening on 23 January 2023. Applications must be submitted by 7 February to be considered.
An expert judging panel, comprising Selfridges buyer Adrian Boswell, food entrepreneur Mallika Basu, and PR & marketing expert AJ Sharp, will then select the 50 most eligible entrants, with results announced on 24 February.
The winning products will then enter the Great Taste 2023 accreditation scheme for free, and go on to be blind-tasted alongside the other entries from March to June 2023.
The final results will be awarded as part of the overall Great Taste scheme on 1 August.
“We’ve always been about working with businesses across the industry and our activities have an ecosystem of scaled entry costs that mean our biggest entrants also support our smallest ones,” said Guild of Fine Food MD John Farrand.
“It’s true, though, that the micro producers often need more help, especially with the current economic headwinds, and that is why we are excited to be launching the Great Taste Bursary.
“By helping fledging makers, we continue the great work that our team, our judges, and the sector is doing to nurture startups and innovative new businesses. It will encourage and help the very smallest makers to enter, receive constructive feedback and, hopefully, receive affirmation that they are making top-notch food and drink.
“If our bursary candidates go on to achieve an award, they will be able to display it on packaging and benefit from support and kudos which comes with a Great Taste award. If they are not successful, our rigorous judging process provides every entrant with impartial, honest feedback from industry experts. And that is incredibly valuable.”
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