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Great Taste Bursary

Each year the Great Taste Bursary offers 50 micro producers the chance to put one new product in front of its expert panel of Great Taste judges for free.

Please note: Great Taste 2026 Bursary applications have now closed.

Highland charcuterie on board
Great Taste Bursary
Supporting emerging producers and micro businesses

Don't miss the opportunity to enter your product into Great Taste for free.

Please note: Great Taste 2026 Bursary applications have now closed.

Find out more

Apply for a bursary

Great Taste is for everyone, which is why we want to make sure that no matter the size of your business, you have the opportunity to achieve the Great Taste seal of approval and recognition your product deserves. The bursary has been designed especially for emerging micro producers who might normally find the entry fees and process prohibitive.

Please note: Great Taste 2026 Bursary applications have now closed.

Jemima's Deli

Why enter?

Recognised by consumers and retailers as the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme, Great Taste is an opportunity for your product to be assessed by chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers. No matter the accolade you receive, our rigorous process provides every entrant with impartial, honest feedback from industry experts. The bursary has been designed to help and support emerging businesses begin their Great Taste journey by giving them one free entry to the awards.

Please note: Great Taste 2026 Bursary applications have now closed.

Products on shelves in The Henley Larder

Order Great Taste logo artwork

Who can apply?

If you meet the following criteria, we would love to receive a bursary application from you:

  1. Your business is less than two years old.
  2. Your business has a turnover of less than £100,000.
  3. Your product is commercially available in the UK.
  4. Your product has not been entered into Great Taste before.
  5. You have not received a Great Taste Bursary before.

Don’t forget, you can only submit one product for the bursary!

Manisha Solanki and Jacob Thundil, Sozye

Manisha Solanki and Jacob Thundil, Sozye

Key dates for next edition

2 December 2025
Open for applications


6 January 2026
Closed for applications


19 January 2026
Bursary winners announced


27 January 2026
General entry closes
Producers not granted a bursary still have time and can enter Great Taste 2026 before the closing date.

Great Taste Awards 3-star judging day

Great Taste Awards 3-star judging day

Take a look at the extraordinary producers who have received a Great Taste Bursary and won a 1-, 2- or 3-star over the years.

Award-winning producers from the Great Taste Bursary 2023

Award-winning producers from the Great Taste Bursary 2023

Meet the 2026 bursary judges

AJ Sharp Great Taste judge
Great Taste Bursary judge

AJ Sharp

Marketing & PR expert

Tom Newey - bursary judge 2026
Great Taste Bursary judge

Tom Newey

Chief executive, Cobbs Farm Shops

Great Taste Bursary judge

Damian Blackburn

Director, Dark Woods Coffee

Need help?

Contact our team on [email protected] or +44 (0) 1747 825 200