Aldi named 2023 Retailer of the Year!
We are delighted to announce that Aldi has been named Retailer of the Year for the second year running...
Aldi were crowned Retailer of the Year in the 2023 Quality Food Awards, winning an impressive 47 awards.
Now in its 44th year. the UK Quality Food Awards are the longest-running, most prestigious awards in the food and drink industry in the UK; these sought-after awards cast a spotlight on products that offer fine ingredients, great taste and aroma, beautiful packaging and amazing value for money.
From steak to salmon, pizza to butter, milkshake to cupcakes - the products that scooped up accolades in this year's Qs were from a vast range of categories, wowing our judges.
The judging process
Here at the Quality Food Awards, we have dedicated a huge amount of time over the years to building up an enviable panel of judges from all corners of the industry. We have a reputation for being the most prestigious food awards in the UK, and the collective experience and expertise of our judges means that the winning products in each of our categories are truly deserving of their awards.
Find out more about our judging process here.
Our favourite Aldi products of 2023
Aldi scooped up a number of Bronze, Silver and Gold awards in this year's Qs, and here are some of our favourites:
- Aldi Choceur Salted Pretzel Chocolate
Accolade: Gold Award
Judges' comments: Our judging panel were particularly complimentary of this Aldi product and commented on it being an,
“innovative idea with an interesting twist”. The judges were in agreement that the chocolate and pretzel
flavours went really well together and that the bar is good value; they enjoyed the texture, commenting
on its distinctive crunch, and enjoyed the salt from the pretzel balancing the sweetness of the milk
chocolate, commenting that it was “addictive” and predicting that it will sell well.
Accolade: Gold Award
Judges' comments: Our judging panel were particularly complimentary of this Aldi product and commented on it being an, “innovative idea with an interesting twist”. The judges were in agreement that the chocolate and pretzel flavours went really well together and that the bar is good value; they enjoyed the texture, commenting on its distinctive crunch, and enjoyed the salt from the pretzel balancing the sweetness of the milk chocolate, commenting that it was “addictive” and predicting that it will sell well.
- Aldi Ballycastle Tiramisu Flavour Cream
Accolade: Gold Award
Judges' Comments: Our judging panel found the Ballycastle Tiramisu Flavour Cream to be particularly moreish and all agreed that it
would be a fabulous treat for the festive season. The taste of the cream compliments the coffee and
whisky flavours nicely, without any of the tastes overpowering the others. Our judges also commented
on the clean ingredient list and concluded that, as well as being a delicious standalone product, it would
make an excellent addition to other desserts - such as in a trifle or even an Eton Mess with a twist.
Accolade: Gold Award
Judges' Comments: Our judging panel found the Ballycastle Tiramisu Flavour Cream to be particularly moreish and all agreed that it would be a fabulous treat for the festive season. The taste of the cream compliments the coffee and whisky flavours nicely, without any of the tastes overpowering the others. Our judges also commented on the clean ingredient list and concluded that, as well as being a delicious standalone product, it would make an excellent addition to other desserts - such as in a trifle or even an Eton Mess with a twist.
- Aldi Truffle & Black Pepper Flavour Butter
Accolade: Gold Award
Judges' Comments: Our judges were really impressed with Aldi’s Truffle & Black Pepper Flavour Butter and said it
“smelled incredible”. They felt that the truffle was appropriately subtle and they were all in agreement
that it tasted delicious. This is an innovative product, with a great price point, that would work well as
an ingredient, particularly for sauces and garlic breads - the judges felt that this product would be a
particularly useful ingredient during the festive period.
Accolade: Gold Award
Judges' Comments: Our judges were really impressed with Aldi’s Truffle & Black Pepper Flavour Butter and said it “smelled incredible”. They felt that the truffle was appropriately subtle and they were all in agreement that it tasted delicious. This is an innovative product, with a great price point, that would work well as an ingredient, particularly for sauces and garlic breads - the judges felt that this product would be a particularly useful ingredient during the festive period.
- Aldi Specially Selected Caledonian Blue Cheese
Accolade: Gold award
Judges' Comments: Our judges described this as a “beautiful, well-produced cheese with lovely evenly distributed blue
veining throughout”. The panel all agreed, enthusiastically, that this is a tasty, sophisticated cheese and
commented that they thoroughly enjoyed eating it. They also added that it had the perfect moisture
balance, a “distinguished, robust flavour” with a light aroma and saltiness at an ideal level. Our judges
concluded that this is a very refined blue cheese and that this was a real coup for Aldi to sell this artisan
cheese at such a great price point.
Accolade: Gold award
Judges' Comments: Our judges described this as a “beautiful, well-produced cheese with lovely evenly distributed blue veining throughout”. The panel all agreed, enthusiastically, that this is a tasty, sophisticated cheese and commented that they thoroughly enjoyed eating it. They also added that it had the perfect moisture balance, a “distinguished, robust flavour” with a light aroma and saltiness at an ideal level. Our judges concluded that this is a very refined blue cheese and that this was a real coup for Aldi to sell this artisan cheese at such a great price point.
- Aldi Specially Selected Gastro Aberdeen Angus Steak Pie
Accolade: Gold
Judges' Comments: Our judges agreed that the Aldi Specially Selected Gastro Aberdeen Angus Steak Pie is a great product with aromas of beef and black pepper on the nose, and generous chunks of meat. They were particularly impressed with the provenance displayed on the pack and the wine match suggestion which innovative and gives the product a premium feel.
Accolade: Gold
Judges' Comments: Our judges agreed that the Aldi Specially Selected Gastro Aberdeen Angus Steak Pie is a great product with aromas of beef and black pepper on the nose, and generous chunks of meat. They were particularly impressed with the provenance displayed on the pack and the wine match suggestion which innovative and gives the product a premium feel.
- Aldi Specially Selected Arran Mustard and Honey Scottish Pork Sausages
Accolade: Gold
Judges' Comments: Our judges felt that the mustard and honey flavours were apparent in both aroma and flavour and
that the sausage had a sweetness to it. The whole mustard seeds are visible throughout the sausage
and, although not all of our panelists were familiar with Arran mustard, they really liked the Scottish
provenance of this tasty addition.
This sausage has a premium texture with a lovely natural casing. The judges said that this product is
proof that sausages with 75% pork can taste great; the panel agreed that this is a great value product
that would be delicious accompanied with mash as part of a meal.
Accolade: Gold
Judges' Comments: Our judges felt that the mustard and honey flavours were apparent in both aroma and flavour and that the sausage had a sweetness to it. The whole mustard seeds are visible throughout the sausage and, although not all of our panelists were familiar with Arran mustard, they really liked the Scottish provenance of this tasty addition. This sausage has a premium texture with a lovely natural casing. The judges said that this product is proof that sausages with 75% pork can taste great; the panel agreed that this is a great value product that would be delicious accompanied with mash as part of a meal.
The full list of winning products from this year's Quality Food Awards can be found here.
