Main Product Categories

Introducing each of the seven Free From Christmas Awards categories to help guide your decision making process. Entries must be seasonally relevant products, available for Christmas 2022. 

Entries do not necessarily have to be Christmas products, BUT they do need to be seasonally relevant. Entries don’t have to be part of a bespoke Free From range, they can be products that sit outside of these ranges but are clearly suitable for the free from consumer.

 

Advent Calendars

Showcasing all the little free from treats hidden behind doors, in drawers and in pouches that everyone likes to open in ever-increasing excitement as the big day draws near! This could be chocolate, pork scratching, liqueurs or sweeties, or anything else edible and free from! The rule is – it must be some sort of countdown to Christmas!

The judging process for this category will be slightly different in that once all entries have been blind-tasted, scored and discussed, the process will be repeated but this time with the packaging. 

 

Gifting & Stocking Fillers

All those free from food and drinks you’d be proud to gift your friends and family – whether under the tree, in the stocking or on arrival at a festive occasion.  

Presentation counts when gifting, so in this category we will be recognising quality and free from credentials, as well as the visual appeal of both the product and the packaging. 

There are no hard or fast rules, all products in your range are ideal entries for this category. 

The judging process for this category will be slightly different in that once all entries have been blind-tasted, scored and discussed, the process will be repeated but this time with the packaging. 

 

Party Food

The party food offer has come a long way over recent years. The once dreaded Christmas buffet can now be an inclusive occasion and this makes us happy. 

The innovation over the last few years has been impressive. Festive party food launches are now eagerly anticipated with consumers stockpiling their favourite products to enjoy throughout the year. 

From canapés and sharing bites (savoury or sweet) to dips, crisps and crackers – this category is for anything that you would serve at a Christmas gathering. 

 

Drinks

Sponsored by

• Gluten Free Beer – including low & no alcohol
• Wine, Spirits & Liqueurs – including low & no alcohol 
• Mixers & Soft Drinks

Christmas is both a time of celebration and a coming together when, perhaps more than any other time of the year, we love to enjoy a drink with friends and family. 

Our drinks category includes all the drinks you’d ever see at a party or bar during this festive season. GF beer, spirits, cocktails, ciders, wines, mixers, syrups, kombucha, elixirs and seltzers that are free from, vegan, alcohol-free, or sugar-free, mean that everyone can join in the celebrations, irrespective of allergies or dietary restrictions. 

 

Christmas Dinner 

Festive traditions are important when it comes to Christmas dinner and inclusivity is desired on both a practical and emotional level.

Those managing food allergies or intolerances want to be part of the same foodie traditions that their family and friends are experiencing, and for those preparing and cooking the dinner there is often not adequate safe preparation (or oven space) to provide numerous different completely allergen-free options. 

From festive meal centres and stuffing, to pigs in blankets and other traditional accompaniments, not forgetting the gravy and other sauces; anything that would form part of the main Christmas dinner should be entered here. 

 

After Dinner – Desserts & Confections

Sponsored by

It’s the sweetest time of the year!

From traditional desserts to more alternative options the choices are now plentiful. Some may be show stopping centrepieces whilst others a more modest option, but all are delectable and delicious.

We are inviting entries from Christmas puddings to festive cheesecakes, from mountainous trifles to profiterole ski slopes. We’d also like to see your after dinner free from confections such as fudge, mint creams, truffles and chocolate thins.

If it’s sweet and decadent, then this is the category!

 

Tea Time – Pies & Cakes

Sponsored by

It’s reported that on average Brits will have eaten their first mince pie of the year by the end of November but what other tea time treats can rival the iconic mince pie?

There are an increasing number of seasonal treats hitting the free from shelves each year from spiced biscuits and decadent yule logs to festive cupcakes and gingerbread creations so let’s see whether the mince pie will reign supreme.

Want to read up about the entry process? Read the Entry Guide.

Additional Awards

In addition to the category medal winners, we will be awarding the following accolades:
 

Christmas Food Product 2022

Free from consumers actively seek product endorsements and recommendations and love to share. This behaviour is more prevalent at Christmas when there is a real appetite to try something new. With this award we want to share what our judges believe to be the best Christmas food, one they believe would justify travelling that extra mile for or spending that little bit more on …… after all it is Christmas.

 

Christmas Drink Product 2022

Drinks, whether alcoholic or not, are a big part of the festive celebrations so many of us look forward too. With the drinks category open to such a diverse selection of products, we believe drinks should no longer play second fiddle to food in the free from world, and acknowledge what our judges believe to be the standout Christmas drink adding extra sparkle to those celebrations.

 

Independent Christmas Brand 2022

Sponsored by

The independent sector is incredibly important in the free from community, inspiring innovation and adding quality to the menu. This award celebrates the contribution of these independent companies.
To qualify for the Best Independent Christmas Brand of the Year, a minimum of 3 products (small company) or 6 products (large company) must be entered.
 

Christmas Range 2022

Sponsored by

With an inspiring array of new Christmas products and ranges across the free from sector ensuring the occasion of Christmas is truly inclusive, who should consumers look to for the most diverse, inspiring and delicious range this Christmas? An exciting category designed to recognise the significant role that the major retailers play in this sector.
To qualify for this award, a minimum of 15 products must be entered with at least one entry into each of the six food categories (excluding Drinks) of which the top scoring 10 will be taken into account.