Sussex Food And Drink Awards 2015/2016

MONDAY night saw the finalists of the tenth Sussex Food And Drink Awards announced at a Big Reveal event hosted by Harveys Brewery in Lewes.

Former winners of the Sussex Drink Producer Of The Year, and sponsors of the Sussex Farmers’ Market Of The Year category, Harveys is marking its 225th anniversary this year.

Host for the evening, BBC Sussex’s Danny Pike, announced the shortlisted nominees for the Best Sussex Food Producer, Drink Producer, Food/Farm Shop, Farmers’ Market, Eating Experience and Butchers categories.

The winner will be decided by public vote, which closes on Monday, September 21.

Public nominations are still open for Sussex Young Chef Of The Year, Sussex Street Food Of The Year, Sussex Newcomer Of The Year and Sussex Farmer Of The Year.

All the 2015/2016 winners will be announced at a seven-course banquet produced by Sodexo Prestige held at the Amex Stadium in Falmer on Thursday, January 28, 2016.

The winners’ ceremony will be hosted by Pike and awards patron Sally Gunnell, with both winners and runners-up in each category receiving a trophy.

Paula Seager and Hilary Knight, co-directors of Natural Partnerships CIC, run the Sussex Food And Drink Awards as a not-for-profit scheme.

“The competition is set to be very tough this year with an impressive line up of candidates,” says Seagar.

“These unique awards are all about boosting the market for Sussex produce and letting people in the county know about the fantastic food and drink grown and made in Sussex, as well as the many great restaurants, pubs, cafes, farmers markets and food shops where it can be bought and enjoyed.”

Last year more than 10,000 people voted in the awards. This year’s finalists were chosen by a judging panel headed by dairy farmer William Goodwin.

Votes can be registered at the awards website on www.sussexfoodawards.biz

Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by The Southern Co-operative

Beal's Farm Charcuterie, North Chailey, East Sussex

Ginger’s Kitchen, Partridge Green, West Sussex

Higgidy, Shoreham-by-sea, West Sussex

Nell Ball Farm Foods Ltd, Plaistow, West Sussex

Seriously Real, Pulborough, West Sussex

Springs Smoked Salmon, Edburton, West Sussex

Stratta, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Sussex Gold, Partridge Green, West Sussex

The Linseed Farm, Barns Green, West Sussex

The Traditional Cheese Dairy, Stonegate, East Sussex

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Rix & Kay

Albourne Estate, Albourne, West Sussex

Ballards Brewery, Nyewood, West Sussex

Bolney Wine Estate, Bolney, West Sussex

Court Garden Vineyard, Ditchling, East Sussex

Dark Star Brewing Co Ltd, Partridge Green, West Sussex

Hammerpot Brewery, Poling, West Sussex

Kingscote Vineyards, East Grinstead, West Sussex

Langham Brewery, Lodsworth, West Sussex

Nutbourne Vineyards, Pulborough, West Sussex

Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common, East Sussex

Sussex Food Shop of the Year, sponsored by Wealden District Council

Charlie’s Farm Shop, Bury, West Sussex

Crates Local Produce, Horsham, West Sussex

Middle Farm, Firle, East Sussex

Offham Farm Shop, Offham, East Sussex

Perryhill Orchards Farm Shop, Hartfield, East Sussex

Rushfields Farm Shop, Poynings, West Sussex

Sharnfold Farm Shop, Stone Cross, East Sussex

Tablehurst Farm Shop, Forest Row, East Sussex

Tottingworth Farm Shop, Heathfield, East Sussex

Veasey & Sons Fishmongers, Forest Row, East Sussex

Sussex Butcher of the Year, sponsored by Absolute Butchery

A C Coughtrey Butchers, Pulborough, West Sussex

Adsdean Farm Shop, Funtingdon, West Sussex

Archers of Westfield, Westfield, East Sussex

Archers, Brighton

Barfields Butchers, Brighton

Bramptons Butchers, Kemptown, Brighton

John Murray Butchers, Loxwood, West Sussex

Michael Courtney Family Butchers, Midhurst, West Sussex

New Street Butchers, Horsham, West Sussex

S K Hutchings, Partridge Green, West Sussex

Sussex Farmers Market of the Year, sponsored by Harveys of Lewes

Arundel Farmers Market, West Sussex

Chichester Farmer Market, West Sussex

Hailsham Street Market, East Sussex

Horsham Local Produce Market, West Sussex

Lewes Farmers Market, East Sussex

Shoreham Farmers Market, West Sussex

Slindon Village Market, West Sussex

Steyning Farmers Market, West Sussex

The Great Little Farmers’ Market, Worthing, West Sussex

Wisborough Green Farmers and Village Market, West Sussex

Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, co-sponsored by Natural PR and Sussex Food & Drink Network

Anderida Restaurant, Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, Wych Cross, East Sussex

Coggings & Co, Brighton

East Beach Café, Littlehampton, West Sussex

Ockenden Manor Hotel, Cuckfield, West Sussex

Queens Room, Amberley Castle, West Sussex

The Cat Inn, West Hoathly, West Sussex

The Crown, Hastings, East Sussex

The Curlew Restaurant, Bodiam, East Sussex

The Royal Oak, East Lavant, West Susssex

The Sussex Ox, Polegate, East Sussex