May 6, 2015
![These products are leading the free-from movement in London this year These products are leading the free-from movement in London this year](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltafc06db067aebac6/64cbf83cdb0bcc7a8de33eaa/NewHopeNetwork_Horizontal_RGB.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
The eighth annual FreeFrom Food Awards were presented by Anthony Worrall Thompson on April 22 at the Royal College of Physicians in London. This year saw more than 470 entries, making it the largest competition yet. And the stakes were high, because the winners, shortlisters and commended product lines get to display the bright yellow FreeFrom logo on their packaging—a vital marketing bonus. Founded and run by FreeFrom Foods Matter, the ceremony supports Foodcycle—a national charity that aims to reduce food waste and food poverty—with 10 percent of entrant fees. Click through the gallery to see some of the products that are leading the way in the United Kingdom.
Winner: FAIR trophy for the best FreeFrom food 2015 The gluten- and wheat-free line from Voakes Pies, Voakes Free From products were developed by Andrew Voake's son, Nick, and his partner, Laura, in a response to Laura's celiac disease diagnosis in 2011. The gluten-free pastry recipe has been developed over the past four years and is now considered to be as close to that used in the original Voakes Pies as possible. Judge's comment: "A perfect pork pie! I just do not believe that it is not only gluten free but dairy free!"
Runner-up: FAIR trophy for the best FreeFrom food 2015 Amy's Kitchen has always been sensitive to the special dietary needs of its customers. What really impressed the judges about this gluten-free, dairy-free offering was the texture of the noodles and the crunchiness of the accompanying vegetables. Baked tofu, shiitake mushrooms and a colorful array of vegetables are presented in a traditional Chinese sauce with added cashew butter. Judge's comment: "This has a WOW factor! Visually perfect with lots of flavour—just delish and hard to believe it’s vegan.'"
Runner-up: FAIR trophy for the best FreeFrom food 2015 The comments section of Explore Asian's product site is rife with praise from gluten-free diet customers. It seems that noodles make people happy, and gluten-free noodles are no exception. Explore Asian products are organic, kosher and vegan as well as being gluten free. Most importantly, the company seeks to make free-from foods that taste great. Judge's comment: "The vibrant green color makes it a colorful addition to free from. BRAVO!"
Runner-up: FAIR trophy the best FreeFrom food 2015. A pain au chocolat that is not only gluten free, but dairy free as well? Genius's Cakes and Treats range offers all manner of goodies from lemon cupcakes to chocolate chip brioche rolls. The crispy, butter-free pains au chocolate, which come ready to bake, baffled the judges. Judge's comment: "OK, so it might not stand up against the very best pain au chocolat from an old-school Paris boulangerie, but nonetheless it's pretty awesome! How did they make that crispy, crumbly pastry?"
Winner: The Innovation Award Launched by Kirsty Henshaw in 2012, the Kirsty's range offers chilled, ready-to-warm meals that have proven popular with health-conscious consumers, as well as those looking for specialty diet products. Touted as one of the United Kingdom's most successful young women, single mother Kirsty Henshaw captured market attention in 2010 with a winning pitch on the show Dragon's Den. Her product range was inspired by her son, Jacob, who suffers from food intolerances and allergies. Judge's comment: "A very herby and slightly spicy, well-balanced beef lasagna with an appetizing aroma and perfect appearance—you would never even have noticed that it was dairy free."
Winner: Retailer of the year With more than 350 gluten-free SKU's offered and growing, Tesco continues to work on its free-from range and introduce new products targeted to consumers with special-diet requirements. The dairy-free products have been one of the most recent focuses to follow the success of Tesco's gluten-free offerings. As supermarkets recognize the market benefit of establishing a quality free-from range, this category saw fierce competition this year. Judge's comment: "The Tesco development team have seriously pushed the boundaries with innovative products such as their party packs, their fish, meat and veggie burgers and their desserts. Many of these have also gone beyond gluten free to be dairy, egg, nut or soya free as well—yet it would be hard to tell that any of them were not 'normal' products."
Winner: Bread Made with rice milk, rice flour, potato flour and tapioca, Smart Eats & Treats' Rosemary & Olive Oil Focacette was credited by the judges for being very similar in taste and texture to focaccia, with a crusty exterior and rich smell. Smart Eats produces an extensive range of gluten-free products, including Middle Eastern and Mediterranean style Foccaccia, Focaccette, Levant and Manakish breads. Judge's comment: "Wholesome and multiple allergen free: great for restaurants, excellent taste and texture.' 'Lovely crusty outside, smells fabulous!' 'Great texture, quite olive 'oily' but lovely appealing bread'."
Winner: Raw Foods and Superfoods Marvellous Superfood is a family business based in Wales which is almost completely operated by owner Dixey Brooks and her three daughters. This hemp-based vegan protein powder is free from artificial sweeteners and flavoring and sweetened with powered Lucuma—a Peruvian fruit touted as high in antioxidants. Judge's comment: "A good mix of a few high-protein nutritional ingredients in an easy-to-take, palatable powder."
Winner: Children's Food Georgia's Choice came away from the FreeFrom Awards with the winning product for its Chicken Grills and a highly commended mention for its Chicken Bites. The company was inspired by Georgia, the daughter of founders Gary and Pauline, who was diagnosed with autism at age 5. As Gary and Pauline struggled to follow the physician's advice to limit food additives, they were driven to develop a line of their own. Later, when Georgia was also diagnosed as gluten intolerant, the couple went on to further develop a gluten-free product range. Judge's comment: "Great taste and smell, crispy outside, nice moist texture inside."
Winner: Desserts and Puddings Coconut Collaborative's dairy-free Mango & Passionfruit Coconut Milk Yoghurt was a firm favorite with this year's judges for being fruity and light. Judge's comment: "OMG delicious, divine, tangy, fruity, creamy—SUCH A TREAT for dairy freers!"
Winner: Bars Get Juicy was founded by Cornwall-based Davina Whiteoak. After working in the food industry as a recipe developer for companies such as McDonald's, KFC and Del Monte, Whiteoak decided to move back to the countryside and develop her own ideas of putting taste and health at the forefront. Judge's comment: "Really juicy, lovely texture, great chewy oat flavor—wonderful snack bar."
Winner: Tea Time! A gluten-free doughnut is hard to come by, especially one that is crisp, light and fluffy. According to this year's FreeFrom judges, FEEL FREE has achieved a truly doghnut-like gluten-free doughnut. FEEL FREE is managed by Sally Allister, a diagnosed celiac, and has only more recently moved toward sweet products after achieving success with its savory gluten-free pie range. Judge's comment: "It is SO HARD to get a GF doughnut—this has a great texture and is delicious warm."
Winner: Tea Time! A gluten-free doughnut is hard to come by, especially one that is crisp, light and fluffy. According to this year's FreeFrom judges, FEEL FREE has achieved a truly doghnut-like gluten-free doughnut. FEEL FREE is managed by Sally Allister, a diagnosed celiac, and has only more recently moved toward sweet products after achieving success with its savory gluten-free pie range. Judge's comment: "It is SO HARD to get a GF doughnut—this has a great texture and is delicious warm."
These products are leading the free-from movement in London this year
You May Also Like