Marks & Spencer emerged as the top performer in the yearly BBC Good Food Christmas dinner taste assessment. The retailer dominated in six out of 17 categories, excelling in areas such as best turkey crown, best gammon, and best Christmas pudding.
M&S’ Oakham hot maple-glazed turkey crown, priced at £50, impressed judges with its sticky, peppery hot maple glaze and fruit-packed stuffing. This product shared the top spot with Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference British free-range bronze turkey crown, which featured pork, apricot, pear, cranberry, and candied ginger stuffing, priced at £22.75 per kg, and garnered praise for its golden, glossy glaze and crispy bacon.
Additionally, M&S secured the title for best Christmas pudding with its Collection 12-month matured variant containing pecans and panettone, priced at £16. The pudding was described as delicious, boasting plenty of fruit and large nut chunks.
Morrisons claimed victory in three categories, including best showstopper dessert, best classic, and best flavored mince pie with its Cherry Bakewell version, noted for its soft texture and balanced almond flavor.
Tesco excelled in the best pigs in blankets category, while Lidl was recognized for the best trifle. Aldi shared the accolade for best smoked salmon with M&S. The taste test featured a total of 185 Christmas products across 17 different categories.
Lulu Grimes, the managing editor of Good Food, emphasized that consumers can enjoy a fantastic festive spread without overspending, thanks to the wide range of quality offerings from supermarkets. She highlighted the convenience of supermarket mains and nostalgic puddings, allowing individuals to focus on enhancing their favorite Christmas recipes and creating lasting food memories.
Cassie Best, head of food at Good Food, expressed the anticipation and rigorous testing process that led to the selection of this year’s winners. She praised the diverse range of festive food from the 13 participating supermarkets and affirmed that the final list of winners showcases the best holiday offerings available, encouraging a blend of supermarket purchases with homemade dishes for a memorable and budget-friendly Christmas feast.
