Aldi has been named Christmas Retailer of the Year for the second year in a row at the Quality Food and Drink Awards (QFA) with a staggering 47 products receiving recognition.
The discount retailer also picked up the sought-after title of Christmas Product of the Year for its Specially Selected Exquisite Belgian Caramel Thins. Made in a family-run bakery in Somerset and decorated by hand, smooth caramel is enrobed in Fairtrade Belgian chocolate and topped with pistachios, orange pieces and caramel. The award-winning luxury thins are on sale from 2 December.
More than 400 judges from the food industry tasted hundreds of products for the QFA, which recognises products leading the way in their sector. Products were rated on taste, flavour, texture, aroma, ingredients list, value for money, innovation, aims in the marketplace, presentation and packaging.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Corporate Buying at Aldi, said, “We are delighted to have been named Christmas Retailer of the Year for the second year running. After last year, shoppers are looking forward to Christmas more than ever before.
'We can’t wait to share our festive food range, which is full of innovative, high quality products that will help customers take their celebrations to the next level and make Christmas amazing for everyone – all at a price they can afford.”
The news comes as Aldi unveils some of its Christmas range. Joining its selection of British turkeys and Red Tractor approved stuffing, are Aldi’s Specially Selected Pigs in Beds, named by QFA as Best Pigs in Blankets. A twist on the Christmas classic, there’s snow way shoppers will want to miss out on the British pork, apple and honey sausage meat ‘bed’ with cocktail sausage ‘pigs’ all tucked up in oak smoked bacon ‘blankets’ with cranberry ‘pillows’. On shelves from 19 December.
The Aldi Christmas range is also choc full of sweet treats, including the Specially Selected Exquisite Mini Mince Pies, named best Traditional Mince Pies, and the Specially Selected Raspberry and White Christmas Tree (pictured), named best Centrepiece Dessert. The white chocolate and vanilla mousse Christmas tree serves six and is filled with layers of sponge cake, topped with raspberry inclusions, a praline feuillantine and raspberry crumb decorations. Available to buy from 15 November.
Chocoholics will also rejoice at Aldi’s highly commended Honeycomb Cracker Cake. On sale from 10 December, the cake combines luxurious, moist and golden Belgian chocolate sponge, with a sticky Belgian chocolate sauce and edible gold stars. Not forgetting a hidden golden honeycomb centre.