Free From Awards

13/04/2026

Elevating the Pour: A Record-Breaking Year for Drinks

We're kicking off the week in high spirits as our 2026 Drinks judging sessions get underway.

Under the expert helm of our new Drinks Lead, Ana Catarina, 2026 has been a record-breaking year.

We're absolutely glowing about the innovation coming through. For us, drinks are about so much more than just the liquid in the glass; they evoke emotion, create connection, and inspire happier, healthier versions of ourselves.

While Gluten Free Beer is where it all started, and we’ve welcomed an incredible array of entries from the likes of Asahi Super Dry and the Drinks sector of the Free From Awards has expanded in spectacular fashion.

Our more recent categories, Low & No Alcohol and Functional Drinks, Wines, & Spirits, have seen a massive surge in presence. We’re seeing a bonanza of clean label mixers, fermented drinks and mindful spirits that are truly redefining the space.

Brand Spotlights:
uk – revolutionising 'beauty from within' with their allergen aware, collagen infused wellness drinks. Whether on its own or in a cocktail, it’s mindful drinking that makes you shine!

Crystal Head Vodka - naturally sugar and gluten free. A beautifully crafted spirit in a globally iconic bottle that sits in the world's finest bars.

- effortlessly premium and ingredient-led. Its ceramic bottle transports you instantly to the quiet beauty of Capri.

- fruit-led and gently fermented, balancing vibrant flavour with the quiet health benefits of fermentation.

This year has proven that the 'Free From' drinks space is ingredient-led, design focused, and incredibly sophisticated.

We can't wait to reveal our medallists at our Presentation Party on Thursday, 11th June!

Are you a fan of a premium spirit, a functional fizz, or a classic GF beer? Let us know your go-to pour below! 👇

17/03/2026

See your free from slogans on our tea towels!

Tea towels are some of the UK’s most treasured and essential pieces of kit, required for almost every function in our kitchens.

And we know they can also harbour allergens.

This is your opportunity to design an allergen aware tea towel to remind friends and family to take better care.

What would you like YOUR tea towel to say?!

Naughty, funny or shouty - we want to hear them all!

The winning slogans will be printed on our NEW tea towels - if we pick yours you’ll get a tea towel AND a free from surprise suited to your dietary requirements!

Send us your slogan ➔ [email protected]

Or post your slogan below!

Closing date 31st March - get thinking - and thanks to Creative Nature Superfoods for this one!

12/03/2026

Some of our winners exhibiting at the IFE - International Food & Drink Event in three weeks time! Fermenti Foodhak Naturli The Coconut Company Lidl GB FREEE

From start-ups to global brands, innovation is at the heart of IFE.

Today, we’re spotlighting exhibitors who are leaders in the free from sector, recognised by IFE key supporter the Free From Awards (FFA).

From gut-friendly breakthroughs to dairy-free excellence and allergen-aware reinventions of everyday favourites, these pioneers are shaping the future of free from food.

Discover leading exhibitors including Fermenti, Foodhak, Naturli’, The Coconut Company, and Seafish UK Ltd at IFE 2026: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rxlhj0
Secure your FREE trade pas today: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rxlBZ0

19/12/2025

Mince Pie Glory! Welcome The Gluten Free Kitchen

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a mince pie, and today we are celebrating a truly special one!

Sue's Free From Kitchen is a dedicated bakery in North Yorkshire where every product is handmade by a small, passionate team. Their mission? To create inclusive treats that never compromise on taste.

Their Mince Pies are not just delicious; they are impressively free from:
✅ Gluten & Wheat
✅ Milk
✅ Soya
✅ Egg
They contain almonds but have no PAL for other tree nuts or peanuts.

🥇 FFCA25 GOLD Winner!
These deep-filled pies feature Sue’s signature sweet almond pastry, a festive star topper, and a luxurious mincemeat filling.

What our judges had to say:

'These are amazing—the best I’ve ever tasted. The pastry is thin and delicate, to the point that it looks like your Nan made these at home.'

'Generously sized... more of a dessert than just a snack. Gorgeously flavoursome filling.'

'Drizzled with some brandy butter, these would be absolutely knockout.'

These come frozen in boxes of two, making them the perfect 'fresh-from-the-oven' treat for your festive guests.

🛒 Available via Ocado

How would you eat yours?👇

18/12/2025

Inclusive Flavour with BAY'S KITCHEN

Today we’re welcoming Bay's Kitchen, a brand on a mission to revolutionise free-from eating with foods that are big on flavour but easy on digestion, to this years Christmas Awards!

Born from personal experience, Bay’s Kitchen creates IBS-friendly, milk and gluten free essentials. From award-winning sauces to game-changing stocks, every product is crafted to support digestive wellness without sacrificing the joy of a good meal.

🥈 SILVER Medal Success: Concentrated Beef Stock

Part of a brilliant range (including Chicken and Vegetable), these stocks are the perfect pantry addition. They add incredible depth to your favourite dishes without hard-to-digest ingredients like onion or garlic.

What our FFCA25 judges had to say:

'I like the inclusivity with this product; it’s been really thought through with clear claims. Highly credible.'

'Would complement meat dishes very well. No onion or garlic is fabulous and fills a need that’s often very hard to find.'

Whether you are cooking for a sensitive gut or just looking for clean, high-quality ingredients, Bay’s Kitchen is a must-have for your festive kitchen!

Do you struggle to find delicious staples without onion or garlic? 👇

17/12/2025

Christmas Range of the Year 2025: Welcome Marks and Spencer

We were thrilled to celebrate M&S, who made an incredible impact at this years Free From Christmas Awards, taking home an impressive massive medal haul and the prestigious FFCA25 Range of the Year title!

M&S has truly elevated their festive offer this year. By bringing M&S Collection luxury into the Made Without range, they’re adding something even more special to your festive spread.

FFCA25 Gold Medal Highlights:

🥇 M&S Collection Made Without Chocolate Yule Log – A deliciously nostalgic, ROLLED gluten free sponge finished with indulgent buttercream & decorated with chocolate curls. It's the ultimate festive centrepiece!

🥇 M&S Made Without Speculoos Cookies in a Light Up Tin – The iconic light-up tin is back! This year, it’s filled with festive Christmas tree-shaped Speculoos cookies.

🥇 M&S Clementine & Cranberry Frangipane – Almond sponge with a clementine soak, candied orange peel, and white chocolate drizzle. A true taste of Christmas!

And don't forget the savoury! While you're stocking up on a party food favourite, Gluten Free Mini Chicken Kyivs, make sure to grab the 🥈 SILVER medal winning Mini Pecorino & Chorizo Tortillas, both included in the 4 for 3 party food deal.

Look for the orange Gluten Free logo across the M&S Foodhall for even more delicious options this season making it easier than ever to host or gift with confidence!

There really is no better time to treat yourself from the M&S Foodhall ….. and do let us know what makes it into your basket!

📷 M&S Collection Made Without Chocolate Yule Log

16/12/2025

Find joy in every bite! Welcome The Cookie Lass🍪

Today’s festive welcome is all about cookie excellence! We're thrilled to introduce The Cookie Lass, a talented female-owned, solo micro-bakery hand-crafting delicious treats in Pembrokeshire.

Founder Carys knows the importance of delicious, safe free-from options. That’s why she built a dedicated gluten free & vegan kitchen, ensuring there's no need to worry about cross-contamination

Carys shared that for her, the cookies are a vessel for joy, a reason to connect with friends, step outdoors, or dance in the kitchen. Mental Health Awareness is close to her heart, and she wants the Cookie Lass experience to help everyone find happiness in the small moments. 💖

Award Winning Cookie Joy!

Carys's entries certainly brought joy to our FFCA25 judges:

🥇 GOLD - Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies (GF & Vegan)
Vanilla dough, organic vegan milk chocolate chips, topped with a squishy, lightly toasted marshmallow, and a sea salt sprinkle.

Judges Feedback: 'Visually this is a really exciting cookie. Great attention to detail. Nice big chunks of chocolate, a salty kick, and the flavour delivery is very good.'

🥉 BRONZE - Winter Spiced Cookie (GF & Vegan)
Cookie dough warmed with treacle and laced with deep winter spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove).

Judges Feedback: 'On the nose it feels very festive and I absolutely love the consistency. The sea salt again feels very premium and enhances the flavour of the cookie itself.'

These two flavours are just the tip of the Cookie Lass's iceberg!

What's your dream cookie flavour, the one that brings you pure joy? 👇

📷 Toasted Marshmallow White Chocolate Cookies (GF & Vegan)

12/12/2025

Festive Friday Welcome! Meet Chocolates by Design, a FFCA25 GOLD Winner!

Our festive Friday welcome goes to the wonderfully talented Jo, founder of Chocolates by Design.

Jo’s inspiring story is matched only by her stunning chocolates. Everything she creates is naturally gluten free, and her dedicated chocolate workshop is a gluten free environment - no precautionary warnings needed!

Jo entered her Dessert Collection, a stunning selection of dessert-inspired truffles, into the Free From Christmas Awards 2025 and came away with a sensational GOLD medal! 🎉

More Than Just Chocolate .....

These handcrafted truffles are visually impressive, beautifully presented, and made with purpose. Jo carefully sources premium ingredients, choosing cocoa from a social enterprise in Colombia that supports fair wages and sustainable farming.

What the Judges Loved:

'Great ethics and such an inspiring story behind the product. There is real substance beyond just the chocolates!'

'These are a treat for the senses.'

'A beautiful box of hand decorated chocolates with extremely well thought out sourcing credentials.'

With incredible flavours like Black Forest, Crème Brûlée, Jam Roll Poly, Sherry Trifle, and Chocolate Fudge Brownie, this is the ultimate Christmas gift (or personal indulgence!).

Which incredible dessert-inspired flavour would be your first pick? 👇

11/12/2025

When passion meets Perfection! Welcome Leigh’s Gluten-Free Artisan Bakery

Today’s festive welcome goes to the talented Leigh's Gluten Free Bakery.

Leigh's journey began back in 2016 after his son was diagnosed Coeliac. Driven by a desire for simple, safe ingredients, Leigh started baking at home.

His commitment to quality has paid off in a big way! Leigh is now a multi-FFA winner:

🥇 Annual 2025 Cycle GOLD: Gluten Free & Vegan Olive & Rosemary Focaccia

🥈 Annual 2025 Cycle SILVER: Gluten Free & Vegan White Sourdough

🥇 Christmas 2025 Cycle GOLD: Gluten Free & Vegan Amaretti Biscuits

Handmade in small batches, these delicious almond bites are the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas coffee or tipple. They are fabulously gluten free, egg free, milk free, and vegan!

Judges' Verdict on the Festive Amaretti Biscuits:

'A beautiful amaretti, with a soft & chewy texture and a delicate almond flavour that doesn’t overpower.’

'Impressively free from & rather delicious, these are dangerous (in a very good way!)'

'I'm not normally a fan of amaretti biscuits but I absolutely LOVED this. Very moreish.’

Leigh proves that passion & simple ingredients can create truly outstanding free from products!

How would you enjoy these Amaretti, with coffee or something stronger this Christmas? 👇

08/12/2025

Welcome to the Awards, Waitrose & Partners 🎄

Our next festive welcome goes to Waitrose. They've ensured that their Christmas offer is not only gluten free but absolutely full of festive flavour, guaranteeing everyone can tuck in this season.

We are delighted to share that Waitrose secured multiple medals at the FFCA25, including two Golds for their incredible sweet treats!

🥇 GOLD: Free From Salted Caramel Hazelnut Brownies
Our judges were seriously impressed:
'This is a really good looking brownie—nice smooth caramel on the top... The crunchiness of the nuts adds a lovely contrasting texture & the salt offsets the sweet. A delicious festive treat.'

🥇 GOLD: Free From Cranberry & Orange Blondies
These were another showstopper!
'These smell divine! Lovely appearance... plenty of fruit sprinkled on the top which felt generous, inviting & appropriately Christmassy! Damn these are good!'

More Medal Success!

🥈 SILVER: Free From Mince Pies
🥉 BRONZE: Free From Turkey Feast Sandwich

And while you're shopping for those medal winners, keep an eye out for more of their gluten free excellence, including:

Free From Cranberry and Sicilian Orange All Butter Shortbread
Free From Richly Fruited Christmas Cake
Halloumi in Blankets with Hot Honey
Sticky Beef Teriyaki Skewers
Hash Browns in Blankets

What will be the first Waitrose item you add to your basket this Christmas? 👇

📷 Image courtesy of Waitrose & Partners