Waitrose – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Good Food reveals winners of Christmas Supermarket Taste Test Awards 2024

M&S takes the crown for the most winners in this year’s Good Food Christmas Supermarket Taste Awards, scooping seven of the 21 categories, with Waitrose winning five categories.
Over 185 products from 13 supermarkets were blind-tasted, and anonymously rated by a panel of expert judges overseen by an independent adjudicator, winners include Morrisons £3.25 pigs in blankets, and Asda £5 mulled wine.

The UK’s number one food media brand, Good Food, has announced the results of its Christmas Supermarket Taste Awards, judging the best festive foods from 13 supermarkets across 21 categories, from smoked salmon to Christmas cake, pigs in blankets and mulled wine.

To arrive at the winners list, over 185 products were blind-tasted by Good Food’s expert panel, overseen by an independent adjudicator. All packaging was removed and food prepared and cooked following pack instructions and presented by an independent home economist. The judges submitted comments and a score out of 10 for each product in the category via anonymous online judging forms.

The full results are in the iconic Good Food Christmas issue which is on sale now with a “Make Christmas memories” message, packed with over 90 thoroughly tested recipes for memorable celebrating, entertaining and gift-giving, plus features on reducing food waste and tips for using up leftovers.

Of the thirteen supermarkets, M&S won the most, scooping seven wins out of the 21 categories, including Best cranberry sauce and Best classic mince pies.

Waitrose was awarded five wins including: Best turkey crown, Best Christmas cake and Best Christmas pudding. Asda and Aldi tied for third place with three wins each, while Morrisons won the coveted Best pigs in blankets category and Co-op Best showstopper dessert.

Lily Barclay, Content Director, Good Food, says: “Good Food celebrates its 35^th anniversary this year, which means 35 years of Christmas memories.

“Our iconic Christmas issue will help create more memories with reinventions of retro classics and ideas for meaningful home-baked Christmas gifts.

“The Good Food team of experts started testing in August for the mammoth Good Food Christmas Supermarket Taste Awards, creating the ultimate guide to festive food buys.

“This Christmas the supermarkets have outdone themselves with the range and quality on offer, and our selection of winners will help save time in the kitchen, so you can focus on celebrating the festive season with family and friends..”

The results of the Good Food Christmas Taste Awards 2024, with judges’ comments:

Starters

Best smoked salmon
Winner: Booths Strong Oak Smoked Scottish Salmon, 200g (£8.00)

Judges’ comments: “This has nice thick slices with a classic, crowd-pleasing smoked flavour that would work well in sandwiches.”

Best hot canapé
Winner: M&S Collection Barber’s Extra Mature Cheddar & Ham Hock Scone, 290g (£7.50)

Judges’ comments: “The scone has a great flavour and a lovely, crispy texture. The ham works beautifully with the creamy roux and buttery, cheesy notes – it’s easy to eat and perfect for nibbles with drinks.”

Mains

Best turkey crown
Winner: Waitrose Glorious Treacle Glazed Turkey Crown, 2.5kg (£60)

Turkey crown on a plate wrapped in bacon

Judges’ comments: “This juicy turkey has excellent flavour, complemented by the herby chestnut stuffing and a lovely saltiness from the bacon.”

Best alternative Christmas main
Winner: Aldi Specially Selected Wagyu Wing Rib, 1.8-2.8kg (£24.99 per kg)

Judges’ comments: “This impressive-looking joint would make a fantastic showstopper. The meat has a good texture, and the outside sears well.”

Best gammon
Winner: Aldi Specially Selected Sugar Baked Crackling Gammon Joint, £18.99

Aldi specially selected sugar baked crackling gammon joint on a platter with vegetables

Judges’ comments: “A clear winner for the judges – this centrepiece gammon is complete with crunchy crackling and juicy, tender meat.”

Best pigs in blankets
Winner: Morrisons The Best pigs in blankets, 210g (£3.25)

Judges’ comments: “Caramelised onions give these a touch of sweetness, with pleasing crispy bacon and good texture to the sausage-meat.”

Best cranberry sauce
Winner: M&S Cranberry Sauce (fresh), 400g (£3.25)

Judges’ comments: “This cranberry sauce has a nice sweetness, a distinct cranberry flavour and a pleasing tartness. It’s perfect for making sandwiches with your Christmas leftovers.”

Best vegetarian main
Joint winner: Waitrose Ultimate Plant-based Festive Wellingtons, pack of two (£7.50)

Judges’ comments: “This vegetarian mushroom wellington has a flavourful umami kick, crispy pastry, lovely mushroom and thyme notes, and warming gravy.”

Joint winner: M&S Collection Handcrafted Honey Glazed Vegetable & Barber’s Cheddar Galette, 400g (£12.50)

Judges’ comments: “This hearty galette impressed the judges: it is incredibly flavoursome, enjoyably cheesy and has plenty of veg.”

Best vegan main
Joint winner: Tesco Finest Roasted Vegetable & Cranberry Star, 340g (£6)

Judges’ comments: “This attractive centrepiece features beautifully nutty and umami flavours with notes of thyme, marjoram and sweet onion. It has buttery, flaky pastry and festive star shapes.”

Joint winner: Aldi Plant Menu Vegan No Turkey Crown, 490g (£4.99)
This no-turkey crown does a great job of replicating the texture of meat quite well. It would go down extremely well with roast potatoes and a generous helping of gravy.

Festive desserts

Best Christmas cake
Winner: Waitrose No.1 Hand-Decorated Matured Rich Fruit Cake, 1.5kg (£18.50)

Judges’ comments: “This Christmas cake has a generous amount of marzipan, a slightly crumbly texture – which guests might take as homemade – and a pretty, impressive appearance with good, solid icing.”

Best alternative Christmas cake
Winner: Asda Ginger and Caramel Snow Cake, serves 16 (£12)

Judges’ comments: “The gingerbread and caramel cake captures the festive spirit beautifully. Its appearance is charming, both as a whole and when sliced, making it an attractive addition to any holiday spread. The cake boasts a strong gingerbread flavour that is nicely balanced, and the sponge is wonderfully soft and spongey.”

Best Christmas pudding
Winner: Waitrose No.1 Jewelled Cointreau & Cranberry Christmas Pudding, 800g (£15)

No.1 Jewelled cointrau cranberry Christmas pudding

Judges’ comments: “This Christmas pudding has a rich flavour, a pretty fluted shape, lots of cherries and whole almonds, and a nice spiced citrussy note.”

Best showstopper dessert
Winner: Co-op Irresistible Spiced Gingerbread Crown, 600g (£8)

Judges’ comments: “This golden sponge crown boasts a lovely gingerbread flavour with warming ginger and cinnamon notes, complemented by a rich caramel sauce and toffee drizzle. It looks impressive, is easy to serve, and has a homemade, festive taste.”

Best trifle
Winner: M&S Sticky Toffee Trifle, 1kg (£15)

Judges’ comments: “This trifle features a delightful blend of caramel, gingerbread and butterscotch flavours, beautifully paired with whipped cream and luscious custard. The layers are clear and well-textured, with attractive toppings.”

Best free-from dessert
Winner: M&S Chocolate & Orange, Fruit & Nut Brownie, 630g (£12.50)

Chocolate & orange fruit & nut brownies on a plate and the counter

Judges’ comments: “This gluten-free brownie tastes like it is made from quality chocolate, and the hint of orange isn’t overbearing.”

Festive bakes

Best classic mince pies
Winner: M&S Collection Mince Pies, pack of six (£4)

Stack of mince pies on a plate with one open mince pie in front

Judges’ comments: “These classic mince pies have a beautiful, unique design with a well-patterned top, buttery pastry with a good mouthfeel, and a nicely spiced filling with discernible fruit.”

Best flavoured mince pies
Winner: Morrisons The Best Cherry Bakewell Mince Pies, pack of four (£2.75)

Judges’ comments: “These Bakewell-flavoured mince pies feature a pretty flaked almond topping and a well-balanced frangipane that’s not too sweet. The mincemeat is moist and fruity, creating a pleasant hybrid of a classic mince pie with a nutty, crumbly twist.”

Best gluten-free mince pies
Winner: Waitrose Mince Pies, pack of four (£2.90)

Judges’ comments: “These gluten-free mince pies have a nice texture that holds together well without crumbling too much.”

Best vegan mince pie
Winner: Asda Free From 4 Mince Pies 220g (£2)

Judges’ comments: “These vegan mince pies have a beautiful, uniform appearance with a simple star decoration and feature a lovely, juicy filling. The pastry is crisp with a good crumbly texture and a nice sugary top, making them a delightful treat.”

Best biscuit tin

Winner: M&S Collection Shortbread Tin, 400g (£10)
Judges’ comments: “These Christmas shortbreads are melt-in-the-mouth buttery, with a good salty hit and a rich, milky chocolate coating. Their soft, crumbly texture makes them a true winner.”

Best mulled wine
Winner: Asda Extra Special Mulled Wine, 75cl (£5)

Judges’ comments: “This mulled wine offers a delightful boozy flavour with a rich ‘mulled’ quality, making it a standout choice for a sweet, spiced experience.

All prices correct at time of publishing.

The Christmas issue of Good Food is out now, get your copy in store or order direct from www.MagsDirect.co.uk

Animal Rebellion protest in Edinburgh

At around midday yesterday, supporters of Animal Rebellion entered Waitrose in Morningside, took milk from the shelves, and emptied it on the floor of the shop.
This follows two high-profile milk spills in Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges in London where two individuals were arrested and charged with £100,000 in damages

SIX Animal Rebellion supporters disrupted Waitrose on Morningside Road yesterday as they continue their call for a plant-based future.

Two protesters took bottles of milk from the shelves and emptied them over the store’s floor to highlight the need to support farmers in a transition to a sustainable, plant-based food system.

Similar actions occurred simultaneously in London, Norwich, Manchester and Leeds.

Hannah, one of the activists, said: “Milk isn’t a viable product, it’s unsuitable for human consumption, it becomes unsuitable as soon as we exploit animals, deforest massive sways of land for unsustainable animal agriculture, polluting our groundwater and contributing more Greenhouse Gas Emissions than Exon, Shell and BP.”

The action comes as part of Animal Rebellion’s demands for a plant-based future, which were announced on 23/05/22.

The animal and climate group is calling for wholesale governmental support for farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system and a programme of rewilding that will secure a future for generations to come by drawing down carbon from the atmosphere and restoring vital habitat to native wildlife.

Other recent actions taken by the group include disrupting the Queen’s Jubilee, running onto the track at Epsom Derby, and blockading multiple dairy distribution centres day-after-day at the beginning of September.

Animal Rebellion is a mass movement using nonviolent civil disobedience to call for a just, sustainable plant-based food system.

Dobbies and Waitrose grocery partnership launches in Edinburgh

Dobbies Garden Centres, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has marked its partnership with Waitrose by opening its first foodhall in Edinburgh.

Featuring the supermarket’s wide range of high-quality food, grocery products, and everyday essentials, the Waitrose foodhall is one of more than 50 that are to be launched at Dobbies’ stores across the UK and which will bring Waitrose to 20 new towns and cities.

Shoppers at Dobbies’ Edinburgh can choose from an extensive selection of products including the essential Waitrose range, which is the biggest value tier of any supermarket, plus its premium range – Waitrose No. 1 – and Waitrose Duchy Organic. Ready meals, free-from and vegan ranges, prepared fruit and vegetables, snacks and cupboard staples will also be available.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “Through a shared commitment to great value, quality and sustainability, Waitrose was the natural grocery partner for us as we continue to build on the success of our foodhalls in recent years. I am sure our first Waitrose foodhall at our flagship store in Edinburgh will prove popular with our customers.

“Our foodhalls are integral to our garden centre ranges and the experience of our customers, and we look forward to introducing Waitrose’s offering across our network of UK stores.”

To find out more about the partnership, visit www.dobbies.com.

Waitrose is top of Which? supermarket rankings

Waitrose has been rated the best UK in-store supermarket again in Which?’s annual supermarket satisfaction survey.

Waitrose scored a maximum five stars in almost every category – from ease of finding products and fast-moving queues, to friendly staff and the appearance of its shops – and was only let down by a two-star score for value.

Waitrose has now secured the top position in the Which? rankings two years in a row – holding onto the crown despite the increasing popularity of the likes of Aldi and Lidl.

In the Which? survey of more than 14,000 of its members, Asda was rated the worst, finishing at the bottom of the consumer champion’s rankings for in-store grocery shopping.

The consumer group found that shoppers like Asda’s range of goods in store, but clearly want more recyclable packaging and products without packaging, as the store received only one star for this aspect.

The survey revealed that Asda provides neither the noteworthy store experience of Waitrose or Marks & Spencer nor the value of Aldi or Lidl. Asda scored just two stars for the quality of its own-label products.

Marks & Spencer lived up to its reputation for quality when it comes to food and drink, scoring five stars for both its own-brand and fresh produce. Its overall customer score of 73 per cent places it just below Waitrose, not managing to quite match its rival’s superb in-store experience or product range. Marks & Spencer wasn’t able to match Waitrose for ease of finding products, queues or staff availability.

Aldi and Lidl were rated best for value, both receiving five stars. The two supermarkets are seen as the best for those wanting more for their money, with rock-bottom prices making customers much more forgiving of their less-impressive traits, such as long queues, or unhelpful or hard-to-find staff.

One Aldi customer said: “It’s not a pleasant place to shop, but value for money is exceptional.”

Morrisons and Sainsbury’s came mid-table, with Tesco sliding in just below and Iceland coming in second-to-bottom. Shoppers told Which? that they like Iceland’s value for money, but this was not enough to boost its score overall. The supermarket failed to impress with its fresh produce or product range, and got just one star for availability of recyclable packaging.

The Which? study also found that when shopping in store, people were most frustrated by waiting for help at self-service checkouts (26%) and by a lack of staffed checkouts (25%).

Ocado, the UK’s only purely online supermarket, scored highly in the Which? analysis of online supermarkets and was the only supermarket endorsed as a Which? Recommended Provider, but was not included in this analysis.

Harry Rose, Editor of Which? Magazine, said: “The quality of fresh products is the single most important factor for our members when choosing where to shop in store, and this is just one of the areas where shoppers have told us that Waitrose excels.

“There’s clear room for improvement for the ‘big four’ – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda – as they continue to trail behind Waitrose and M&S for experience, and behind Aldi and Lidl on value.”

Community facilities at Waitrose Comely Bank

Local not for profit groups and can now book a free meeting room at Waitrose Comely Bank. The new community room is free of charge and can be used whenever the store is open, including weekends. It has a table and chairs and can accommodate 20 people. To book the room please call the branch on 0131 332 6312.