Andrew Kay: Dines Out

And The Winners Are…

January always sees the grand finals of the Sussex Food & Drink Awards, an annual event now in its tenth year. And a glamorous black tie affair it is with lashings of delicious Sussex food and drink to enjoy before the anxious grand finalists find out if they have wone the prestigious award.
This year was no exception and the event, hosted by Danny Pike assisted by Sally Gunnell OBE was both fun and suitably political with almost every winner and sponsor speaking passionately about the importance of local produce.
After the dinner the prize giving proper started and the awards, including two new categories, were presented before a huge audience of food industry specialists and their friends and families.
The awards were as follows:

Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by The Southern Co-operative
Winner: The Traditional Cheese Dairy, Stonegate, East Sussex
Runners up: Higgidy, Shoreham-by-sea, West Sussex and Springs’ Smoked Salmon, Edburton, West Sussex

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Rix & Kay Solicitors
Winner: Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common, East Sussex
Runners up: Dark Star Brewing Co Ltd, Partridge Green, West Sussex and Nutbourne Vineyards, Pulborough, West Sussex

Sussex Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by Sodexo Prestige
Winner: Ryan Tomkinson, The Pass, South Lodge, Lower Beeding, West Sussex
Runners up: Michael Sutherland, The Sussex Ox, Polegate, East Sussex and Stephanie Hayward, Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield, West Sussex

Sussex Farmer of the Year, in association with Farmers Weekly
Winner: Charlie and Sarah Hughes, Southview Farm, Pulborough, West Sussex
Runners up: Julia and Simon Feakes, Sussex Lamb, Horsham, West Sussex and Tim and Rupert Hoare, Adsdean Farm, Funtingdon, West Sussex

Sussex Butcher of the Year, sponsored by Absolute Butchery
Winner: S K Hutchings, Partridge Green, West Sussex
Runners up: A C Coughtrey Butchers, Pulborough, West Sussex and Barfields Butchers, Brighton

Sussex Farmers Market of the Year, sponsored by Harveys of Lewes
Winner: Horsham Local Produce Market, West Sussex
Runners up: Lewes Farmers Market, East Sussex and Shoreham Farmers Market, West Sussex

Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, co-sponsored by Natural PR and Sussex Food & Drink Network
Winner: The Cat Inn, West Hoathly, West Sussex
Runners up: The Curlew Restaurant, Bodiam, East Sussex and The Sussex Ox, Polegate, East Sussex

Sussex Food Shop of the Year, sponsored by Wealden District Council
Winner: Sharnfold Farm Shop, Stone Cross, East Sussex
Runners up: Charlie’s Farm Shop, Bury, West Sussex and Rushfields Farm Shop, Poynings, West Sussex

Sussex Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by Spofforths Chartered Accountants
Winner: Eggs to Apples, Hurst Green, East Sussex
Runners up: Coggings & Co, Brighton and Etch Food, Billingshurst, West Sussex

Sussex Street Food Vendor of the Year, co-sponsored by Food Rocks and Hepworth & Co Brewers Ltd
Winner: The Trolls Pantry, Brighton
Runners up: Boca Loco, Arundel, West Sussex and Jah Jyot, Southwater, West Sussex