Marks & Spencer has emerged as the top performer in the annual Good Food Christmas supermarket taste test, winning in six out of 17 categories. Morrisons also excelled, securing first place in three coveted categories including best showstopper dessert and best mince pies.
M&S shared the top spot for best turkey crown with Sainsbury's. The £50 M&S Oakham hot maple-glazed turkey crown was praised for its 'sticky, peppery hot maple glaze and stuffing packed with fruit'. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference British free-range bronze turkey crown, costing £22.75 per kg, was described as a 'showstopper'. M&S also won best Christmas pudding with its Collection 12-month matured version with pecans and panettone, priced at £16.
Morrisons took five wins overall, including best classic and best flavoured mince pie for its Cherry Bakewell version, which featured 'soft, buttery pastry' and a 'juicy and citrussy' filling. Tesco won best pigs in blankets, Lidl took best trifle, and Aldi jointly triumphed with M&S for best smoked salmon. Sainsbury's also won best biscuit tin.
The blind taste test involved 13 supermarkets submitting 185 products across 17 categories. Good Food managing editor Lulu Grimes said the results show 'you can have a brilliant festive spread without breaking the bank'. Cassie Best, head of food at Good Food, noted 'serious competition' this year and expressed confidence that the winners showcase the best festive offerings.
