BUTCHERS, bakers, and artisan sausage makers are among the finalists at the Sussex Food and Drink Awards.
The prestigious competition sees dozens of producers battle it out to be crowned county champion.
This year’s finalists include producers of Sussex honey, award-winning chocolate, fudge, ice cream, preserves, beef biltong, and hand-crafted sausages.
The public can vote for their favourites, and over 12,000 votes have already been counted ahead of the January 18 deadline.
The chief criteria is that the entrants must serve or sell local produce.
Paula Seager, who runs the awards, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to see so many people voting and giving our superb regional food and drink producers the recognition they deserve.
“That’s what these awards are all about.
“Businesses from across the county have made it onto the list, including 31 from West Sussex, 19 from East Sussex and seven from Brighton and Hove.
“The competition is incredibly tight again this year and we would love to beat our record number of votes from last year.
“The results of the public vote are so important and will help our expert judges to select the top three grand finalists in each category, who will be announced in March.”
There are several titles up for grabs.
Over the next six weeks, judges will appoint Sussex’s young chef of the year. The final six will participate in a Masterchef-style cook off in March at the Greater Brighton Metropolitan College.
Nationally acclaimed chef Matt Gillan from Heritage restaurant in Slaugham will head up the panel of judges. These include fellow Michelin star chefs George Blogg from Gravetye Manor near East Grinstead and Tristan Mason from Restaurant Tristan in Horsham, along with sponsor and former restaurateur Adrian Burr from Blakes Foods.
Also being contested is the Food Producer of the Year category. The organisers said: “Sussex is renowned for its innovation in making artisan food products and this category represents so much of what is special about the region.”
Seven farmers’ markets are in the running for a trophy too. The organisers said: “These markets are now a familiar fixture in many of the towns and villages across the county and have grown in popularity over the last decade.
“They are one of the best advocates in supporting local and regional food and drink producers and offer a great opportunity to sample some of the very best that Sussex has to offer.”
Butchers are going head to head for a Food Awards trophy, too. The organisers said: “From traditional family butchers who have passed down their skills from generation to generation to resourceful outlets who specialise in locally sourced meats or farm shops that have managed to diversify and build a reputation in quality and zero carbon footprint, they are all well represented in this year’s Sussex Butcher of the Year category.”
Another category is Sussex Food Shop of the Year. Organisers said these businesses “present a delightful spread of both new and old from across the region, each offering its own unique take on bringing plough to plate. Some familiar names as well as some exciting new ones can be found on the shortlist this year.”
The Sussex Drink Producer category is hoping to find the county’s favourite Sussex tipple.
Organisers said the award recognises “not just some of the county’s, but also the country’s very best wine producers, brewers, non-alcoholic drink producers and specialist gin and spirit makers.”
Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, organisers said, celebrates how “residents of Sussex have an outstanding choice of where they choose to dine out, from Michelin star restaurants, country pubs, elegant fine dining and trendy cafés.”
The Young Sussex Farmer of the Year will also be selected, and there are several other awards too. Grand Finalists from all ten categories will be invited to attend a BAFTA-style ceremony on April 29 at the Amex Stadium in Brighton.
The winners will be revealed and over 300 guests will enjoy a seven-course Sussex produce banquet, hosted by the awards’ patron Sally Gunnell OBE and Danny Pike from BBC Sussex.
You can vote for your favourite now at www.sussexfoodawards.biz.
Here’s the full list of the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2020 finalists:
Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op
Bangers Galore, Horsham, West Sussex
Boho Gelato, Brighton & Hove
Jengers Craft Bakery, Billingshurst, West Sussex
Latchetts Farm, Danehill, East Sussex
Noble and Stace Chocolatiers, Midhurst, West Sussex
Perfectly Preserved, Worthing, West Sussex
South Downs Honey, Lancing, West Sussex
Southview Farm Dairy, Pulborough, West Sussex
The Copper Pan Fudge Company, Chichester, West Sussex
The Sussex Biltong Co, Piltdown, East Sussex
Sussex Butcher of the Year, sponsored by RP Meats Wholesale Ltd
Archers of Westfield, Westfield, East Sussex
Bramptons Butchers, Brighton & Hove
C.L.Leppard of Mayfield, Mayfield, East Sussex
Cottenhams of Lindfield – Craft Butchers, Lindfield, West Sussex
Coughtrey’s Butchers, Pulborough, West Sussex
Cowdray Farm Shop Butchery, Midhurst, West Sussex
Michael Courtney Butchers, Midhurst, West Sussex
New Street Butchers & Deli, Horsham, West Sussex
Nick The Butcher, Hartfield, East Sussex
Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row, East Sussex
Sussex Farmers Market of the Year, sponsored by Harvey’s Brewery
Chichester Farmers Market, West Sussex
Forest Row Village Market, East Sussex
Hailsham Farmers Market, East Sussex
Horsham Market (Saturday), West Sussex
Lewes Farmers Market, East Sussex
Shoreham Farmers Market, West Sussex
The Great Little Farmers Market, Worthing, West Sussex
Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, sponsored by Lloyds Bank Cardnet
Crabshack, Worthing, West Sussex
etch. by Steven Edwards, Brighton & Hove
Into The Blue, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
Restaurant Interlude, Lower Beeding, West Sussex
Semolina, Brighton & Hove
The Cat Inn, West Hoathly, West Sussex
The Earl of March Country Pub & Restaurant, Lavant, West Sussex
The Fig Tree, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex
The Pink Cabbage Produce Co., Mayfield, East Sussex
The Seahorse Cafe, East Preston, West Sussex
Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Natural PR
Bedlam Brewery, Plumpton Green, East Sussex
Bolney Wine Estate, Bolney, West Sussex
Brighton Bier, Brighton & Hove
Brighton Gin, Brighton & Hove
Chilgrove Spirits, Chichester, West Sussex
Drunken Berries, Chichester, West Sussex
Long Man Brewery, Litlington, East Sussex
Oxney Organic Estate, Beckley, East Sussex
Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common, East Sussex
Wobblegate Crushed Fruit Juices, Bolney, West Sussex
Sussex Food Shop of the Year, sponsored by Sussex Food and Drink Network
Barney’s Delicatessen, Brighton & Hove
Cowdray Farm Shop, Midhurst, West Sussex
Eggs to Apples Farm Shop, Etchingham, East Sussex
Jeremy’s Two, Cowfold, West Sussex
Nick the Butcher Farm Shop and Deli, Hartfield, East Sussex
Park Farm Shop, Falmer, East Sussex
Rushfields Farm Shop, Poynings, West Sussex
The Fresh Fish Shop, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
The Seasons Forest Row, Forest Row, East Sussex
Veasey & Sons Fishmongers, Forest Row, East Sussex
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