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.
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