Great Taste Shop of the Year 2016 goes to Blacker Hall Farm Shop

(L-R) John Farrand, Guild of Fine Food, Ruth Clark and Ruth Elliott of Blacker Hall Farm Shop and Simon Burdess, Hotel Indigo.

Celebrating the very best in food and drink, Great Taste, the world’s most coveted blind-tasted food awards, has reached its grand finale for 2016. The Great Taste Shop of the Year award has been presented to Blacker Hall Farm Shop in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. This award, which recognises excellence in food retailing, was voted for by the readers of delicious. magazine, who nominated their favourite independent food shops across the UK. From the nationwide nominations, a short list of 10 shops was then selected, to be visited by the Guild of Fine Food’s panel of retail experts.

Described by the judges as a “family-run enterprise full of Yorkshire charm”, Blacker Hall Farm Shop, which makes 80% of its produce onsite, was commended for its high standards and brimming shelves, which fly the flag for Yorkshire, and its friendly staff who are genuinely pleased to help. “With well-appointed signage instore, customer loyalty schemes and a truly inviting environment, Blacker Hall Farm Shop is a rare place, which makes customers feel inspired to buy”, explained judge, Edward Berry from The Flying Fork.

The award was presented by Simon Burdess, vice president of food and beverages at the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), at the Great Taste Golden Forks Dinner held on Monday 5 September at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, where over 300 guests from the world of fine food gathered to hear the results of many months of rigorous judging. 

More information on the Great Taste Awards and the Guild of Fine Food can be found at www.gff.co.uk/awards/great-taste-awards.

For more information about Blacker Hall Farm Shop visit www.blackerhallfarmshop.co.uk.