MORE than 12,000 votes have been cast for Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2019 finalists.

The awards are for the best food and drink producers, farmers, butchers and places serving and selling local produce.

With just a few days left, organisers are urging people to vote for their favourites by midnight on January 17 at www.sussexfoodawards.biz.

Paula Seager, co-director of Natural Partnerships CIC, who runs the awards, said: “It is fantastic to see so many people voting and giving our superb food and drink producers in the region the recognition that they deserve, which is what these awards are all about.

“Businesses from across the county have made it on to the list including 37 from West Sussex, 15 from East Sussex and five from Brighton and Hove.

“Please do go online and vote for your favourite to win, it’s really quick and easy and could make all the difference, as the competition is incredibly tight this year.

“The public vote will help our expert judges to select the top three grand finalists 2019 in each category, who will be announced in March.”

Three other categories also remain open for entries until next Wednesday, including Young Sussex Farmer of the Year and Sussex Newcomer of the Year.

The final ceremony takes place on May 15 at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, where the winners will be revealed and 400 guests will enjoy a seven-course Sussex produce banquet, hosted by awards patron Sally Gunnell and Danny Pike from BBC Sussex.

Vote for your favourite now by visiting www.sussexfoodawards.biz.

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

Alsop and Walker, Five Ashes

Beal’s Farm Charcuterie, North Chailey

Goodwood Home Farm, Goodwood

Jengers Craft Bakery, Billingshurst

Lorama Foods, Chichester

Noble and Stace Chocolatiers, Easebourne

Real Patisserie, Brighton and Hove

Sussex Ice Cream Company, Littlehampton

Perfectly Preserved, Worthing

Weald Smokery, Flimwell

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Natural PR

Bedlam Brewery, Plumpton Green

Bignose and Beardy, Framfield

Bolney Wine Estate, Bolney

Brighton Gin, Brighton and Hove

Dark Star Brewing Company, Partridge Green

Hepworth and Co Brewers Ltd, Pulborough

Langham Brewery, Lodsworth

Ridgeview Estate Winery, Ditchling Common

Tom Cat Spirits, Crowborough

Wobblegate, Bolney

Sussex Food Shop of the Year, sponsored by Sussex Food and Drink Network

Cowdray Farm Shop, Easebourne

Crates Local Produce, Horsham

Eggs to Apples, Hurst Green

Jeremy’s Two, Cowfold

Lodsworth Larder, Lodsworth

Milland Village Stores and Cafe, Milland

New House Farm Shop, Horsham

Perryhill Orchards Farm Shop, Hartfield

Stansted Park Farm Shop, Stansted Park

The Fresh Fish Shop, Haywards Heath

Sussex Butcher of the Year, sponsored by RP Meats Wholesale Ltd

A C Coughtrey Butchers, Pulborough

Archers of Westfield, Westfield

Barfields Butchers, Brighton and Hove

Cottenhams of Lindfield, Lindfield

Garlic Wood Farm (online), Shipley

Goodwood Home Farm, Goodwood

May’s Farmers and Butchers, Lewes

Michael Courtney Butchers, Midhurst

S K Hutchings Family Butchers and Graziers, Partridge Green

The Butcher and Deli, Rustington

Sussex Farmers Market of the Year, sponsored by Harvey’s Brewery

Chichester Farmers Market

Florence Road Market, Brighton and Hove

Forest Row Village Market

Lewes Farmers Market, Cliffe Precinct

Pulborough Farmers Market

Shoreham Farmers Market

Steyning Farmers Market

Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, sponsored by Natural Partnerships CIC

etch, Brighton and Hove

Farmer, Butcher, Chef, Goodwood

Rathfinny Tasting Room, Alfriston

The Crabtree, Lower Beeding

The Dining Room, Worthing

The Earl of March, Lavant

The Milk Churn, Rudgwick

The Parsons Table, Arundel

The Richmond Arms, West Ashling

Wingrove House, Alfriston.