Here they are – the winning products in the 2018 Christmas Stars competition!

A panel of bakery experts judged dozen of festive products across seven categories, including mince pies, Christmas pudding and free-from. Winners and runners-up in each of these will be able to use the ‘Winner’ or ‘Highly Commended’ logo on all marketing materials and packs.

All entries were scored ‘blind’, with judges initially unaware of the identity of the manufacturer or retailer of the products. All products were scored on a range of criteria including appearance, taste, aroma and value for money as well as innovation.

“The quality of products judged in this year’s Christmas Stars awards was exemplary,” said British Baker multimedia content editor Amy North. “The judges had some very tough decisions to make, but I am pleased to say that the winners represent an excellent cross-section of both major manufacturers, retailers and artisan bakers.”

Christmas Cakes, Pastries & Tarts

  • Winner – Waitrose Christmas Gingerbread Latte Cake
    Supplied by Finsbury Food Group
  • Highly Commended – The Co-op Ruby The Reindeer
    Supplied by Finsbury Food Group

Christmas Puddings

  • Winner – Matthew Walker Cherry Topped Christmas Pudding
  • Highly Commended – Aldi Stores Specially Selected Salted Caramel Vodka Pudding

Festive Biscuits (Sweet & Savoury) including Gingerbread

  • Winner – Bachmanns Luxury Lebkuchen
  • Highly Commended – Aldi Stores Belmont Prebuilt Gingerbread House Kit

Festive Bread including Panettone

  • Winner – Aldi Stores Specially Selected Exquisite Panettone
  • Highly Commended – Aldi Stores Specially Selected Christmas Tree Brioche

Free-from Christmas Bakery

  • Winner – Tesco Finest Christmas Pudding with Cranberry & Orange
  • Highly Commended – Flower & White Meringue Truffles

Mince Pies – sponsored by Flemings Zeelandia

  • Winner – Poundbakery Mince Pies
  • Highly Commended – Aldi Stores Specially Selected Mince Pies

Stollen

  • Winner – Asda Extra Special Chocolate Hazelnut & Amaretto Stollen Loaf
    Supplied by Mathiesons Bakery
  • Highly Commended – Aldi Stores Specially Selected Luxury Topped Stollen

You can hear some of the judges’ comments and view the winning products in the video below:

Thank you to our judges:

  • Jessica Dalton, University College Birmingham
  • Laura Gambrell, Zeelandia
  • Nic Hemming, Renshaw
  • Linda Kianfar, Foodhaven
  • Colin Lomax
  • Neil Woods
  • Amy North, British Baker

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