Great Taste Awards 2026: Celebrating Our Award Winning Cheeses

Every summer, the Great Taste Awards recognise the very best food and drink from across the UK and beyond. Judged entirely through blind tasting by chefs, buyers, food writers and industry experts, they remain one of the most respected accolades in the food world. There are no brands, no packaging and no reputations to influence the outcome. Every award is earned purely on taste.

This year, we're delighted to see sixteen cheeses from our counters recognised by the judges, led by one of the competition's highest honours.

Cornish Kern earns a prestigious 3 Star Great Taste Award

This year's standout success is Cornish Kern, awarded the coveted 3 Star Great Taste Award. Reserved for only a small number of entries each year, a 3 Star award recognises products that have impressed judges throughout the competition and are considered truly outstanding.

Made by Lynher Dairies in Cornwall, Cornish Kern has earned a reputation as one of Britain's finest modern cheeses. With notes of roasted almonds and brown butter, it's a cheese we often find ourselves returning to for just one more taste. Its latest success is a fitting recognition of the craftsmanship behind a cheese that has become a firm favourite on our counters.

Cornish Kern wasn't the only cheese from our counters to impress the judges. Barkham Blue, Cornish Yarg, Cote Hill Blue, Graceburn, Maida Vale, Sinodun Hill, Sparkenhoe Red Leicester, Sparkenhoe Shropshire Blue and Wyfe of Bath were all awarded 2 Stars, while Cashel Blue, Colston Bassett Stilton, Gorwydd Caerphilly, Mayfield, Pitchfork Cheddar and Tunworth each received 1 Star.

Rather than chasing trends, the Great Taste Awards celebrate food that simply tastes exceptional. That's what makes these awards so respected. Whether the judges are tasting cheese, charcuterie, chocolate or preserves, every product is assessed in exactly the same way, blind and on flavour alone.

If you'd like to taste what impressed the judges this year, we've brought together the Great Taste Award winners currently available at Paxton & Whitfield, making it easy to explore some of the competition's most celebrated cheeses. Shop the collection here.