An Olympic champion was on hand for a slice of the action at a foodie networking event.

Eight food and drink businesses from Brighton & Hove were among 68 finalists in a Sussex Food & Drink Awards meet-and-greet afternoon, hosted by patron of the awards Sally Gunnell OBE last week.

Public voting is now open by text and online at www.sussexfood awards.biz seeking the county’s top farmers, butchers, chefs, market organisers, shop keepers, brewers and vintners in the eighth year of the awards.

Finalists from Brighton & Hove include Stanmer House in Stanmer Park and The Foragers in Hove competing for Best Sussex Eating Experience.

Brighton Farmers Market is on the shortlist competing against seven towns in Sussex for Best Sussex Farmers Market, whilst Westdene Butchers in Patcham and Bramptons in Kemptown are contesting for Sussex Butcher of the Year.

Infinity Foods is amongst the top ten finalists for Best Sussex Food/Farm Shop, whilst Gran Stead’s Ginger in Portslade is up against vineyards and brewers for Sussex Drink Producer of the Year and The Raw Chocolate Company is competing for Sussex Food Producer of the Year.

Sally Gunnell OBE said: “I want to congratulate all the finalists in this year’s awards and this event is a great opportunity for finalists to discover how to make the most of this competition which is all about boosting the local food market.”