The Free From Food Awards go to products boasting great free from credentials in combination and one or more of great nutrition, great taste, innovation or practicality and cost. Gluten Free and Dairy Free and Vegan products dominate but there are some wonderful 14 allergen free products too that can be enjoyed by almost everyone!
Anything that gets an Award, be it Gold, Silver, Bronze or even just Shortlisted is absolutely worth seeking out and trying at least once. The next time you see the black and yellow badge, treat yourself!
Free From Food Awards Judging
I have the pleasure of being part of the judging team for the awards. The quality of free from has reached the point that products need to be truly terrific to stand out. Go back 10 years and enter a gluten-free Brownie and an Award might have been certain. Wow, look, a gluten-free brownie! Ooh. Today? The reaction would be more like. Oh. Another one of these. Why? Brownie makers . . . I still love you, just make them world class!
The quantity is also incredible, requiring almost three weeks of judging over many different categories such as ‘Food to Go’, ‘Pasta & Pizza’ and ‘No Top 14’
Judging is performed by a diverse panel comprised of food entrepreneurs, reps from big food vendors, nutritionists, dietitians, chefs, people with multiple allergies & parents of children with allergies come together for judging. Sampling is performed blind meaning that judges do not know the brand of the product they are sampling. Opinions sometimes differ, debate sometimes ensues!
Judging is not all rock-star lifestyle though. Do you think you would like it? Take a look at the mosaics below to see what you and your gut bacteria would need to deal with! For more ‘behind the scenes’ read up here.
Got to be some fibre in there somewhere, right?
If you eat your five pastas and four pizzas you can have your twelve desserts :-P
Free From Food Awards 2019 Top Picks
You can follow the Free From Food Awards to hear which products receive Awards on 20 March 2019 or look at the full 2019 Shortlist. As an opinionated judge here are the things I personally think should be gaining Golds. All opinions are my own and every top pick of mine is gluten free and vegan!
So which new free from products really stand out in 2019? Here they come!
Raw Gorilla Lemon & Chia Munchies
Convince me? Simply luscious aroma and taste! Lemon & Lucuma deserves to become a new classic flavour combination right up there with salted caramel. The entire Raw Gorilla range of minimally processed, organic and activated foods are great but . . . . don’t tell the other Munchies, these are best!
Where to Buy? Direct from Raw Gorilla and lots of other places
Follow Raw Gorilla on Instagram
If I have to eat those Carob and Orange to get to the Lemon & Lucuma, so be it :-P
Conscientious Cook Vegan Cheesecake
Why so Good? Just one of a range of highly artisan made-to-order cakes from a very talented baker. This is arguably one of the plainest within her range but oh my goodness did it wow the judges. It was almost unfair to have it in the same category as all the other desserts! Caveat that it is rather costly. Great for special occasions if you want something super and are gluten-free vegan baking challenged!
Where to Buy? Via Yumbles! The online fine foods marketplace you probably do not know about and should!
Follow Conscientious Cook on Instagram
Nature’s Nectar Maca & Vanilla Lava Cake
Why So Good? These cute little glass lava cake pots were up against strong competition from Gato & Co and Freaks of Nature, both makers of excellent desserts! All lovely but somehow these delivered the most decadent, rich, smooth and creamy mouthfeel and long lingering deep flavour.
Where to Buy? Direct from Natures Nectar (chilled delivery)
Follow Natures Nectar on Instagram
Rule of Crumb Fruit Scones
Why So Good? Rule of Crumb may have broken the golden rule for scones – which should really be plain – but since these scones are convincingly scone-like and gluten-free scones are so very hard to find they get a pass. By ‘pass’ I mean, please pass me the scones, jam and CoYo yogurt. Trust me, CoYo yogurt is the best ‘vegan’ cream!
Where to Buy? Nowhere quite yet! As of March 2019 they should appear in many of the places already selling Rule of Crumb products!
Follow Rule of Crumb on Twitter and maybe be the first to find their new scones!
White Rabbit Pizza Co. Smokin’ Vegan
Why So Good? Freshly made, organic ingredients, thin & crispy bases with great looks and lovely tasty toppings. These really wowed the judges after a procession of lesser pizzas! White Rabbit also use the best vegan cheese in the world – MozzaRisella.
Where to Buy? White Rabbit stockists
Follow the White Rabbit on Instagram
Booja Booja Honeycomb Caramel Truffles
Why So Good? Look, it is really simple. If Booja Booja enter a product Booja Booja will get an award. Just like we use the term ‘Google’ to mean ‘Search’, someday soon we will probably start using ‘Booja Booja’ to mean ‘Great Taste’. Try them or regret it.
Where to Buy? Anywhere that does not hate gorgeous things
Follow Booja Booja on Instagram
CoYo Organic Strawberry Kefir
Why So Good? Not satisfied at making the easy best Coconut Yogurt there is CoYo have now launched a Strawberry and plain Coconut Kefir Yogurt. Now you can share the love with all those many billions of gut bacteria that you carry around.
Where to Buy? Right here
Follow CoYo on Instagram
Marks & Spencer Date & Walnut Toasts
Convince me? Delightfully crispy with well balanced levels of sweetness and nuttiness. Tasty enough to eat alone but also a wonderful way to scoop up dips. Marks & Spencer’s ‘Made Without’ range continues to grow and some of the range are outstanding. This is one such.
Where to Buy? You can figure this one out!
Hunter & Gather Mayocado
Why So Good? Mayo makes almost everything better and this is better mayo! Made with avocado and apple cider vinegar. Free of all 14 major allergens but full of flavor. Upgrade your salad with Mayocado today.
Where to Buy? Direct from Hunter & Gather or their stockists
Follow Hunter & Gather on Instagram
More of the same?
See anything you might try? Anything you already love? Tell me! For more of the same sign up to my mailing list or like or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for more. Comment or share if you like. Tell me about anything I should taste test and review and I will happily do so and credit you!
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