Strawberry Rose named Fudge Kitchen’s new year flavour challenge winner

Skilled team members across Fudge Kitchen’s UK retail operations were set a key challenge of devising a new product to mark the New Year in style, writes Neill Barston.

The New Year New Flavour test saw staff battle it out across its six locations around the UK, in a bid to set 2026 off with some fresh innovation to help build momentum for the business.

Notably, the company is set to play its part at this year’s ISM event in Cologne, Germany, as part of the UK pavilion in Hall 4.2, KO33.

As previously covered, Fudge Kitchen emerged with a Team of the Year Award at our World Confectionery Conference in Brussels, which underlined the dedication of its staff across the business (watch the video with managing director Richard Parson below).

As a key highlight for the business, its flavour contest took place on Thursday 15 January at Fudge Kitchen’s production kitchen in Aylesham, Kent.

Teams were challenged to create flavour-led, seasonal, limited-edition fudges that could be released throughout the year. In total, twelve flavours were entered, including Mulled Cider, Candy Cane, Pistachio Cream, Tiramisu, Cherry Lemonade and Peaches & Cream.

An esteemed judging panel was made up of Fudge Kitchen staff and experienced Fudge Makers, alongside four distinguished guest experts:
Annabelle Cox, Owner and Creator of Dunk Cookies, Robin Newall, Head of Sales at Kent’s Simply Ice Cream, Bethan Grylls, Editor at Food Manufacture
Mia Chapman, Content & Features, Sideways Media.

After a full morning of tasting and debating Strawberry Rose, created by the team at Fudge Kitchen Windsor, was crowned the overall winner of the competition.

From the very start, Strawberry Rose consistently ranked highly with the judges, and by the final round it had clearly come out head and shoulders above the rest. The judges were won over by the flavour pairing itself, with fresh strawberries and fragrant rose combining to create a refined fudge perfectly timed for a Valentine’s Day launch.

Richard Parson, Fudge Kitchen MD commented, “Strawberry Rose feels elegant, balanced and exactly the sort of thing we’re delighted to share for Valentine’s Day. While it wasn’t the most outrageous entry visually, what it lacked in appearance it more than made up for in flavour and its perfect ‘Fudge Kitchen’ texture. Best in show, and a real all-round crowd pleaser.”
The Windsor team were thrilled with their win, commenting: “We’re so excited to have won. Strawberry Rose was all about balance – something elegant, seasonal and celebratory – and to see it tick so many boxes for the judges is exactly what we were hoping for!”