21 Aug 2025 Thompsons Selection shines at the 2025 Aurora International Taste Challenge
SA meat brand Thompsons Selections wins gold and silver at this year’s demanding contest…
Held in Stellenbosch this July, the 7th edition of the Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) brought together nearly 500 food and beverage products from around the world for blind tasting by 17 expert judges.
The AITC is no ordinary competition. Renowned for its rigorous judging process, the panel of world-class chefs, sommeliers, and product specialists spend many days identifying the very best in global food and beverage quality.
Unlike traditional food competitions, AITC evaluates products in real-world contexts, emphasising how consumers actually experience their flavour, texture, aroma and so on. Thus, with this unique scoring system and uncompromising standards, an AITC award is a true mark of excellence.
KZN’s Thompsons entered its popular Thompsons Selection range of RTE processed meats and is the proud recipient of a collection of awards, securing two Gold and five Silver accolades across its product range.
- Gold – Thompsons Selection Smoked Cheese Griller with Bacon
- Gold – Thompsons Selection Cheese Griller
- Silver – Thompsons Selection Chicken Polony
- Silver – Thompsons Selection Smoked Chicken Viennas
- Silver – Thompsons Selection Chicken Frankfurters with Cheese
- Silver – Thompsons Selection Cheese Russian
“From the smoky indulgence of the Cheese Griller range to the smooth, savoury notes of the Chicken Polony, these awards are more than just trophies — they’re proof of the brand’s unwavering dedication to flavour, consistency, and quality,” says the Thompsons Meats team.
“This recognition cements our reputation for excellence — it’s a testament to the passion, expertise, and innovation that goes into every product we create.”
More about the Aurora International Taste Challenge 2025
At the heart of Stellenbosch, South Africa’s renowned wine country, the Aurora International Taste Challenge returned for its 7th year at the close of July 2025, gathering culinary visionaries, industry insiders, and discerning taste-makers from across the globe.
Rather than simply recognising excellence, this dynamic event serves as a compass, steering both passionate food lovers and mindful shoppers towards trusted, expertly-evaluated products that set benchmarks in quality and taste.
Far more than decorative accolades, these awards signify credibility and trustworthiness in an increasingly crowded market. By prominently featuring the distinctive Aurora award on packaging, digital platforms, and media communications, producers create meaningful connections with consumers seeking guidance and assurance amid abundant choices.
Although brand loyalty continues to drive consumer decisions, today’s shoppers actively look beyond familiar names, relying instead on independent, professional endorsements to navigate their selections confidently.
In this context, earning recognition from impartial experts provides brands with an influential edge, enabling them to authentically communicate quality and elevate their visibility well beyond traditional marketing efforts.
Michelle Grimbeek, as the convener of judges, summoned some of the world’s most accomplished food and drink industry professionals to evaluate the finest products.
With over 3 000 glasses and tasting containers at their disposal, the rigorous evaluation process began. Assessing each product based on its unique attributes, as well as the standard parameters of appearance, aroma, flavour, texture, and after-taste, it was a formidable challenge to identify the best.
Challenging times often spark remarkable creativity, and this year’s Aurora International Taste Challenge participants have embraced change as a catalyst rather than an obstacle.
Instead of merely adapting, they’ve proactively harnessed uncertainty as an opportunity to rethink traditions, introduce bold innovations, and inspire consumer trust through transparency and excellence. In this new era, impartial evaluation isn’t just about recognition, it’s a vital pathway guiding consumers towards brands committed to quality, resilience, and authenticity.