CELEBRATIONS were in full flow as the best restaurants in the county were named at a special awards night.

The winners of prizes at the Sussex Food and Drink Awards were announced at a ceremony at the Amex Stadium.

Over the last 13 years the awards have received more than 4,200 business entries and 151,000 public votes promoting hundreds of businesses as Grand Finalists.

The awards celebrate the best food and drink spots from across the county.

Isabella Raccagna from Farmer, Butcher, Chef in Goodwood was overjoyed as she was announced as the first woman ever to win Sussex Young Chef of the Year.

You can read more from her on her awards win on page 26.

The Young Sussex Farmer of the Year award was given to Kate Lywood from Marshalls Farm in Kirdford.

Real Patisserie won Sussex Food Producer of the Year.

The highly acclaimed Cowdray Farm Shop in Midhurst took top spot for Sussex Food Shop of the Year and Sussex Farmers Market of the Year went to Shoreham Farmers Market.

Lorama Foods in Bosham was awarded Sussex Newcomer of the Year.

And Sussex Street Food of the Year went to best friend duo, Mann and Moore from Horsham.

Husband and wife teams also had a fantastic night with Cottenham’s of Lindfield – Craft Butcher winning Sussex Butcher of the Year.

Paula Seager, managing director of Natural PR Ltd, one of the partners of the awards, said: “We are incredibly proud of the Sussex Food and Drink Awards and it’s our goal to support and promote food and drink businesses in the county, bringing together the whole local food and farming community.

“This is a great testament to that.

“Yet again, the 2019 line-up has been hugely impressive and we are thrilled to have received record-breaking numbers of entries and public votes again this year.

“We want to wish our winners, grand finalists and finalists our warmest congratulations.

“Sussex food and drink is in safe hands with an exciting future ahead.

“As ever a huge thank you to our new sponsors and supporters who have come on board this year alongside our loyal, longstanding partners, our patron Sally Gunnell OBE and amazing host Danny Pike, who all share a vital role in making these awards such a great success.”

The full list of winners can be found below:

Sponsored by Southern Co-op, the Sussex Food Producer of the Year 2019: Real Patisserie

Sponsored by Natural PR, the Sussex Drink Producer of the Year 2019:- Brighton Gin from Brighton and Hove

Sponsored by the South of England Agricultural Society in association with Farmers Weekly magazine, the Young Sussex Farmer of the Year 2019 winner: Kate Lywood from Marshalls Farm in Kirdford

Sponsored by Harvey’s Brewery, the Sussex Farmers Market of the Year 2019 winner: Shoreham Farmers Market, West Sussex.

Sponsored by Sussex Food & Drink Network, the Sussex Food Shop of the Year 2019 winner: Cowdray Farm Shop in Midhurst, West Sussex.

Sponsored by RP Meats Wholesale Ltd, the Sussex Butcher of the Year 2019 winner: Cottenham’s of Lindfield – Craft Butcher.

Sponsored by Natural Partnerships CIC, the Sussex Eating Experience of the Year 2019 winner: The Parsons Table in Arundel.

Sponsored by SRC-Time, the Sussex Newcomer of the Year 2019 winner: Lorama Foods in Bosham.

Sponsored by Horsham District Foodies supported by Food Rocks, the Sussex Street Food of the Year 2019: Mann and Moore in Horsham.

Sponsored by Blakes Foods, the Sussex Young Chef of the Year 2019 winner: Isabella Raccagna from Farmer, Butcher, Chef in Goodwood.