Brighton and Hove firms triumph at Sussex Food and Drink Awards

Two Brighton butchers and a Hove pub were celebrating after their success at the Sussex Food and Drink Awards.

The Foragers pub, in Stirling Place, Hove, won the award for Best Sussex Eating Experience.

Bramptons, in St George’s Road in Kemp Town, won Best Sussex Butcher of the Year with Westdene Butchers, in Eldred Avenue, taking one of two runners up spots.

The 2011-12 winners were announced at an awards banquet last Thursday (26 January) at the Amex Stadium in Falmer.

More than 350 people attended the event with BBC Sussex presenter Danny Pike announcing the winners after a seven-course feast of local produce.

Clive Beddall, chairman of the judges, said: “Sussex is now seen as one of Britain’s true centres of excellence for food and drink by national food buyers.

“Research shows that, despite economic downturn, demand for locally sourced food has actually accelerated during the past 12 months and more than half the country’s shoppers now say they are prepared to pay extra for local food.

“The Sussex Food and Drink Awards celebrate the exceptional standards of quality and innovation that have taken the county into the top half of the UK’s Premier League for locally produced food and drink and is fully reflected in our wonderful winners this year.”

The Sussex Food and Drink Awards organisers said that they were the only awards that highlight, recognise and support Sussex farmers and producers and the businesses selling and promoting their produce in the local market place.

Find out the names of the winners and runners up in all eight categories here.