Marks & Spencer emerged as the top performer in the annual BBC Good Food Christmas dinner taste test, excelling in six out of 17 categories. Their Oakham hot maple-glazed turkey crown priced at £50 received high praise from judges for its sticky, peppery glaze and fruit-packed stuffing. This turkey was tied for first place with Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference British free-range bronze turkey crown, which impressed with its golden glaze and crispy bacon.
M&S also claimed victory in the best Christmas pudding category with their Collection 12-month matured version featuring pecans and panettone, priced at £16 and described as delicious with abundant fruit and nut chunks.
Morrisons secured the top spot in three categories, including best showstopper dessert, best classic, and best flavored mince pie with their Cherry Bakewell version. Tesco won for best pigs in blankets, Lidl for best trifle, and Aldi tied with M&S for best smoked salmon. A total of 185 Christmas products across 17 categories were put to the test.
Lulu Grimes, the managing editor of Good Food, highlighted that the supermarket offerings provide impressive mains and nostalgic desserts, allowing for a splendid and budget-friendly festive spread. Cassie Best, head of food at Good Food, noted the rigorous competition among the 13 participating supermarkets and expressed confidence in the final list of winners showcasing the best seasonal offerings. She encouraged combining supermarket buys with homemade dishes from Good Food’s tested Christmas recipes for a spectacular and affordable holiday feast.