Within the 2024 Awards cycle, the Easter Award has its own identity, and is judged and the winners announced and celebrated early, allowing entrants to share any medal success in advance of Easter. The Easter offer has blossomed in recent years and so has the interest in this category.

This year we will have 4  judging sub-categories:

• Easter: Eggs
• Easter: Confectionery & Gifting
• Easter: Hot Cross Buns
• Easter: Cakes & Bakes
  

As with Christmas, Easter is a time when consumers often look for something special or a little bit different, so this category presents a great opportunity for smaller, independent producers as well as the larger brands and retailers.

We judge the Easter category on the 6th February, with the medallists announced on 15th February allowing entrants to share their medal success in the run-up to Easter 2024.

The most important meal of the day. Maybe this is why we have traditionally always opened our judging with this category. As Breakfast options have evolved so has the category, and we welcome everything from cereals, granolas & oats to the once elusive baked goods & smoothies.

We recognise the ‘staple’ nature of many breakfast products but it is our ambition that this category showcases products beyond this, elevating the breakfast occasion and looking to some of the smaller producers.

Options for breakfast ‘on the go’ would be welcomed as this is the reality many of us are dealing with; whether that be due to work, travel or just the school run. We would suggest these are entered in the Grab & Go category, NEW for 2024.

We would suggest options developed for, or of high relevance to, the younger consumer be entered in the Child & Teen category and that any Keto products be entered in the Keto category.

This cover-all category includes staple products that are otherwise taken for granted and whose existence aids flexibility for the free from cook.

Ambient sauces, stir fry pouches, pasta/noodles and condiments can all fulfil the needs of the free from and allergic consumer when looking for a quick & speedy meal with minimal effort.

All products that can be found in a cupboard or freezer that make up whole or parts of meals, accompanying meals, ingredients, mixes, dehydrated or tinned goods, stocks and so much more!

There is innovation and excitement to be found here, in a category that covers so many bases.

For 2024 all dried pasta products should be entered in this category as this is very much a store cupboard staple although fresh & filled pastas should be entered in the respective meal solutions category.

A category where the explosion in plant based and vegan has vastly increased the offer with brands, on the whole, effectively addressing both the free from and vegan audience. Will entries of milk alternatives offer anything new this year?

We’ve had just about every option represented in recent years from soya and coconut to pistachio and potato. And within this, occasion need has been a consideration whether that be a barista style, to serve with cereal or as a standalone drink.

BUT this category is more than milk alternatives, it’s open to yoghurts, kefirs, butters & spread, sour cream, mascarpone, condensed milk, curds, buttermilk, clotted cream, creme fraiche, whipped cream and more!

For many, bread is the single most important free from product, forming part of so many meal occasions.

From the everyday basket items of toasting and sandwich loaves to rolls, wraps, bagels, ‘weekend’ and speciality breads, manufacturers of all sizes have something valuable to bring to the category.

We sub-categorise entries by type and production methods to ensure that every entry is judged fairly for the market/need it is addressing.

The demand for vegan and plant based food fuels exciting developments in the milk free cheese sector at all levels, and the divide is great between products for national retail and hand crafted, artisanal options.

Quality cheeses developed for main category fulfil the staple weekly shop needs, whereas artisanal cheese alternatives are there for special occasions and cheese boards.

We acknowledge the different cheese occasion requirements by having two sub-categories for Cheese Alternatives to recognise and encourage development at both ends of the spectrum, and in order to promote both amongst the free from and allergic communities.

A consistently popular category whose chocolate entries can broadly be split into large scale retail and artisanal. The artisanal entries (such as raw chocolates) are judged separately.

We welcome replications of main category brand leaders, nods to healthier options and the use of more natural ingredients, and this category is not just about chocolate, sweet confections are also welcomed.

Whilst basic desserts and puddings are covered in the big retailers, we love to showcase and support the smaller producers out there: retailers are not currently offering many really innovative,  crafted products – they simply don’t have the space.

Ice creams offering a good variety of form, flavour & free from claims!  

Vegan entries that are considering the free from & allergic consumer.

More main dessert options, and products making multiple free from claims, especially milk free & egg free.

From the biscuit classics that mimic their main category counterparts to handcrafted cookies and everything in between. Our judges put entries through their paces but the biggest question; to dunk or not to dunk?

Everything from traditional cakes to tray bakes, slices, doughnuts, scones. If it isn’t a biscuit and you could enjoy it with a cup of tea then this is the category. Celebration cakes should be entered into our NEW Gifting & Celebration category.

Open to products supplied to or with the potential to supply the hospitality sector.

Providing free from food for the catering sector opens up a large and expanding market and this category offers the opportunity for small independent companies to showcase their products alongside the large catering companies to help step-change the food service offer.

There is a need in food service for more free from products from the basic staples all the way through to innovative savoury and sweet options. And the more inclusive the product, both in quality and free from, the more appealing it is.

One of our favourite categories, and unique in that most of the feedback comes directly from the customers that entries are addressing, children and teenagers, which allows for genuine and honest feedback!

This category is not judged blind as this allows us to get feedback on the full product experience and enriches the insights. This year we are planning a number of groups with a focus on the occasion so we can better position each of the entries to our judges.

So from breakfast and packed lunches to post school or gym snacks & supper time, if you have a product that is designed for, or highly relevant to, the child or teen audience then this could be the category for you.

One of our most celebrated & interesting categories, with much lively debate! Innovation is crucial to the continuing success of any organisation and within the free from world innovation is disproportionately important, with new or significantly altered products potentially making a huge difference to the lives of the free from and allergic consumer.

Whether they’re replicating foods and drinks popular in the main category offer, or trying something new (for free from) and tricky to accomplish, or using new or different formats of ingredients, or whether simply introducing exciting packaging styles.

Innovation here could be a new concept for the free from market, a category leading quality evolution, an innovative use of ingredients or manufacturing techniques, unusual recipes, or new ways to deliver health or flavour.

We have the capacity to recognise different sized companies here, with awards to:

• micro companies with a turnover of between £0-£300,000
• small companies with a turnover of between £301,000- £3,000,000
• large companies with a turnover of between <£3,000,001 

Whilst we welcome entries that are free from multiple allergens, this category is all about acknowledging the growing number of products that have invested in developing and manufacturing a nut safe product.

Entries here have to be free from both tree nuts and peanuts and with no precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) for either. From cereals and breads to cakes & bars, a diverse category and the ‘go to’ for those seeking delicious nut safe options.

To ensure this category is representative of the entries we receive, there will this year be two entry routes: If you JUST want to enter your product into this category, please click here to take you to the Tree Nut & Peanut Free main category entry form (this may be a product that contains other allergens but is tree nut and peanut free or the USP of the product is the fact that it is nut safe).

 This category is for companies:

• manufacturing foods with no may contain statements for traces of tree nuts and peanuts 
• confident that their allergen control processes are such that they have no need for ‘may contain’ statements of any kind
• confident their products are suitable for those with tree nut and peanut allergies

A small but perfectly formed category that puts small, independent producers in the spotlight. A great platform for smaller brands to widen their reach and for the free from consumer to make a discovery! We are looking here for unique and high-value food items, typically made in smaller quantities, often hand-made or with an artisanal element, and from high-quality ingredients.

Uniquely among the categories, and NEW for 2024, we do not require entries into this category to be available nationwide, thus recognising quality regional foods. 

We have the capacity to recognise different sized companies here, with awards to:

• micro companies with a turnover of between £0-£300,000
• small companies with a turnover of between £301,000- £3,000,000
• large companies with a turnover of between <£3,000,001 

For any free from product making a keto claim, or formulated to be suitable for the ketogenic diet with or without a keto claim being made.

This dedicated category ensures that keto products will be considered alongside other keto products only, and by a judging panel familiar with keto.

Note that we will not subject entered products to blood glucose response testing but will ask for explanation of how the product is designed to be suitable for a ketogenic diet. Meals, snacks, condiments and drink entries are all welcome.

NEW for 2024, an evolution of our Christmas Awards’ Gifting category which recognises the wider celebratory occasions that we have throughout the year, and open to AYR gifting products, celebratory cakes and party foods.

We look forward to welcoming an array of options here from best selling breaded poultry and sausages to pies, vegetarian alternatives and maybe some more diverse culinary options.

A great category for mainstream products that safely accommodate and include the free from and allergic consumer.

This category is open to dressed vegetable sides, potato products and meal accompaniments as well as salads and soups many of which are serving the free from & allergic consumer with fewer allergens and clearer labelling.

For 2024 we have the NEW Grab & Go category meeting the ‘on the go’ mission; so sandwiches and individual serve salads & soups should be entered there.

The potential for this category is huge this year with the retail sector seeing a growing demand for premium meal solutions as consumers seek to recreate the dining out experiences at home.

From weekday staples to weekend suppers, from traditional favourites to Indian curries, from meat and fish based meals to vegetarian and vegan alternatives; the category is broad but the need entries are meeting is simple – a convenient meal solution that can be popped straight into the microwave or oven to be ready for the latest TV drama snuggles on the sofa, or enjoying around the table with friends and a good bottle of wine.

This year ready made pizzas should also be entered in this category.

The shopper mission here is clear: a grab & go option that addresses breakfast on route to the office or something to look forward to at lunchtime when working in the office or at home.

In this category we encourage a diverse range of entries. We welcome anything that could be enjoyed as a savoury snack, in formats including single bags, multipacks and sharing/large bags.

Products such as crisps, pretzels, tortilla chips, as well as nut butters & hot snacks such as a sausage roll or pasty would all be great entries for this category. This year crackers and oatcake-style products should be entered in this category as they too largely address the savoury snacking occasion.

Recognising that the snack occasion is now more than just bars, all entries into this category should be something you could enjoy between meals , pre/post gym or a cheeky evening nibble.

From exotic dried fruit to chocolate coated roasted chickpeas and chocolate cornflake clusters, let’s put our judges’ taste buds through their paces.

Recognising all those better for you snacking options on the market for the free from and allergic consumer who is looking beyond the immediate fix to a HFSS-compliant free from snack, one that will satisfy taste buds well nutritionally-positive cravings!

This category is open to both savoury and sweet entries.

A vegan label is important for many in the allergy world as it’s the only way of telling that milk and egg have not been used during production of wines and prosecco.

Other entries here can include free from spirits and botanical mixers whose complex flavours are always appreciated by judges.

We also welcome an assortment of free from, premium drinks that offer unique health & lifestyle benefits, and would stand up well next to traditional cocktails, spirits, wines and mainstream soft drinks. Functional, nutritional and botanical drinks are experiencing fast growth in the sector, are often top 14 allergen free and also offer gentle mood-enhancement without any of the effects of alcohol.

Energy and sports drinks can help elevate cognition and mood, and often display clean ingredient lists and good nutritional profiles using alternative sources of caffeine.

Some of the most exciting and innovative developments in the free from drinks space are in Low & No.

Products have alcohol removed in unique ways that still maintain flavour, using methods that limit the quantity of alcohol produced, and range from hand-crafted artisanal drinks to those manufactured for national retail.

Products are often free from the top 14 allergens, and there is a requirement to list ingredients which higher ABV drinks do not have to do. Traditional products like fermented tea which sit easily alongside wine and champagne have been rediscovered. We welcome spirits, wine alternatives, botanical elixirs, sparkling fermented drinks and more.

We welcome both gluten free and gluten removed beers, including lagers, IPAs and golden ales, dark beers and, reflecting the market as a whole, many ‘small’ beers, table beers and low-alcohol beers. Some come from small craft-breweries, whilst others are brewed for national retail.

The gluten free beer market has developed vastly in the last few years – with many brewers offering at least one gluten free beer, and an increasing number making their entire range gluten free.

There is appetite for more variety, including gluten free wheat & fruit beers and sours and we look forward to welcoming more, new styles into the awards.

Open to young companies who started trading after 2nd January 2022, this category is designed to encourage and make a real difference to a start up food manufacturer poised to accelerate their free from growth ambition.

To enter Start Up, you must enter a product into a main category as well.

Proof of trading start date will be required upon entering – this can be a Companies House date of incorporation certificate or confirmation from your accountant.

To enter the Sustainability Award you will first need to enter a product into one of the main categories where it will be assessed as a standard entry; and then enter the same product here, answering all questions specifically designed to capture information about the credentials of your business and your food product.

To enter the Tree Nut & Peanut Free supplementary category, you must enter a product into one of the main categories. Then enter the same product here to have it considered in the Tree Nut & Peanut Free category.