» Sussex Food & Drink Awards: Top Nosh
The Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2009/10 are now open for voting – and your vote counts! The awards are based on public votes and are all about boosting the local market for Sussex produce, rewarding some of our best local producers and the businesses which promote and sell their wares in the county.
Now in their fourth year, the awards have gained increasing respect in a time when people realise how important it is to support our local economy, especially the farmers and producers who both feed us and manage our beautiful countryside. There is also a growing desire to know where our food comes from and that it hasn’t travelled thousands of miles before it reaches our table.
The awards nominations for Sussex Young Chef of the Year and Sussex Farmer of the Year must be in by the end of July and a shortlist will be published in The Latest and on the awards website for further public vote. Deadline for voting for the rest of the categories is 16 October 2009. Everyone has one vote per category and voting for yourself is permitted.
Everyone who votes online at www.sussexfoodawards.com will be entered into a prize draw to win two tickets to the ‘Sussex foodie event of the year’ – the stunning awards dinner in January 2010.
You can also pick up voting forms at the major food events in Sussex over the summer and autumn – or call Natural PR, organisers of the awards, on 01273 857242.
This year the award categories are:
Sussex food producer of the year Sponsored by
The winner could be the Sussex-based producer of a single food ingredient (meat, poultry, fish, vegetables or fruit) or a manufacturer of food products. Most of all, their produce should be delicious and local to Sussex. Nominate the local farmer or manufacturer who rears the meat or poultry, grows the fruit or vegetables, makes the cheese, pickles or sauces, bakes the pies, cakes and supplies us with these fine foods.
Sussex drink producer of the year Sponsored by
The winner could be a soft drink or alcoholic beverage produced in Sussex, which has taste and quality shining through. Here is your chance to put forward some of the
very best drinks producers in the county. For this category we want to hear about
our vineyards, orchards and breweries, and the people behind them.
Sussex farmer of the year Sponsored by
Who has been most outspoken about the quality of Sussex produce? Who has taken every opportunity to encourage people to buy local? Perhaps you have read about their views in the media, or heard them speak at major events? Or maybe you have noticed something they have done that has raised awareness of the benefits of buying local amongst the public. Have they put themselves out and really made a mark on the local produce industry? Please nominate your Sussex Farmer of the Year, providing details of why they deserve to win – the top six nominees will be promoted in The Latest and on the awards website for public vote in the autumn.
Sussex young chef of the year Sponsored by
The winner will be a chef between the ages of 16 and 25, who is working or studying in Sussex and has the ability to plan, prepare and present a menu based on their knowledge of the seasonal, local produce grown, reared or caught in Sussex. Nominations must be made by 31 July 2009. A selection of finalists will then be published in The Latest and on the awards website for public vote from August and the top three will battle it out at a cook off in the autumn.
Sussex butcher of the year Sponsored by
The winner will be a top quality butchers which promotes local farmers’ meat and offers that little bit extra in terms of quality and service. Ask your butcher questions regarding where his/her meat comes from. Check out the variety of items on sale and the service from the staff in the shop. Question the butcher on their principles regarding traceability and farming methods, such as free-range or organic rearing.
Best Sussex eating experience Sponsored by
The winner could be a hotel, restaurant, pub, cafe or other eating experience that uses mainly Sussex produce in an imaginative way and has an enjoyable atmosphere.
The awards scheme aims to reward eateries that promote the local produce they serve on their menus and whose staff know about it. Judge it on its quality, taste and value for money. Consider the ambience, the service and the eating experience, and think about why you go back again and again.
Best Sussex Farmers Market Sponsored by
The winner will sell an exciting range of local produce and offer an experience which shoppers, producers and stallholders really enjoy. To be able to judge one farmer’s market from another, you really need to visit a few. Look out for overall presentation of the market, the arrangement of stands, the range of food and beverages and the entertainment on offer. Be sure it mainly promotes produce from Sussex farmers.
Sussex food shop of the year Sponsored by
The winner will creatively sell mainly Sussex produce. It could be a farm shop, gate sale, a farm delivering local produce to your door, a delicatessen or a local/high street shop. Think about why you are drawn to this shop; do they have a good quality of service; is the food unusually fresh? Do they have a home delivery service? Most importantly, they should promote seasonal, locally-produced goods.
Media partners:
Other supporters include Harveys Brewery and One Digital.
