The Grand Finalists in Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2017 were revealed today following an intensive eight-month judging process, supported by a record of 13,000 public votes.
These inspirational Sussex food and drink heroes can now look forward to an exciting night of celebrations at ‘the Sussex Foodie event of the year’, the spectacular Sussex Food and Drink Awards Banquet on 1 February 2017 at the Amex Stadium, hosted by awards patron Sally Gunnell OBE and BBC’s Danny Pike, where the winners will be revealed and receive their trophies.
Now in its eleventh year, the awards are all about supporting and boosting local farmers, food and drink producers and the outlets that use and sell this superb local fare. Starting from small beginnings, the awards have grown to become prestigious and respected, with huge support from business in the county, bringing together the whole local food and farming community.
Sussex farmer and Nuffield scholar, William Goodwin, who is chairman of the judges, said: “Over the last decade, Sussex has really earned its place as one of the leading counties in the UK for producing superb food and drink and this year’s Grand Finalists line up offers an impressive range of first class, diverse businesses from across the county.
“The competition was really tough this year and the 30 Grand Finalists, 15 from West Sussex, 13 from East Sussex and two from Brighton, should feel immensely proud at making it through to this final stage in the competition.”
Tickets for the BAFTA-style awards ceremony on 1 February 2017 are now on sale and include a spectacular seven-course Sussex produce banquet produced by Sodexo Prestige at the Amex Stadium in Brighton.
The 2017 Grand Finalists, strictly in alphabetical order, are:
Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by The Southern Co-operative
Noble and Stace Chocolatiers, Midhurst, West Sussex
Ouse Valley Foods, Piltdown, East Sussex
The Real Pie Company, Crawley, West Sussex
Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Rix & Kay
Nyetimber Vineyard, West Chiltington, West Sussex
Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common, East Sussex
Wobblegate, Bolney, West Sussex
Sussex Food Shop of the Year, sponsored by Wealden District Council
Cowdray Farm Shop, Midhurst, West Sussex
Eggs to Apples, Hurst Green, East Sussex
Tablehurst Farm Limited, Forest Row, East Sussex
Sussex Butcher of the Year, co-sponsored by Plumpton College & RP Meats Wholesaler Ltd
A C Coughtrey Butchers, Pulborough, West Sussex
Glyn Thomas & Son Ltd, Lindfield, West Sussex
Nick the Butcher, Hartfield, East Sussex
Sussex Farmers Market of the Year, sponsored by Harveys of Lewes
Forest Row Village Market, East Sussex
Lewes Food Market, Market Tower (weekly), East Sussex
Shoreham Farmers Market, West Sussex
Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, sponsored by SuperFast Thermapen®
The Crown, Hastings, East Sussex
The Earl of March, Lavant, West Sussex
The Sussex Ox, Polegate, East Sussex
Sussex Newcomer of the Year, co-sponsored by Spofforths and Sussex Food and Drink Network
The Artisan Bakehouse, Ashurst, West Sussex
The Bluebird Tea Co Shop, Brighton
The Set Restaurant, Brighton
Sussex Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Natural PR in association with Farmers Weekly
Jeremy and Lynne Davis, Lynne’s Organic Farm, Eridge, East Sussex
Andrew and Joanne Knowles, Trenchmore Farm, Cowfold, West Sussex
Camilla and Roly Puzey, Saddlescombe Farm, Poynings, West Sussex
Previously announced, Sussex Street Food Vendor of the Year, co-sponsored by Food Rocks and Horsham District Food and Wine Festival
Garlic Wood Farm, Steyning, West Sussex
Jah Jyot, Southwater, West Sussex
Pig and Jacket, Lewes, East Sussex
Previously announced, Sussex Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by Sodexo Prestige
Rachel Burroughs, Camelia Restaurant, South Lodge Hotel, Lower Beeding, West Sussex
Anna Shopland, The Fountain Inn, Plumpton Green, East Sussex
Michael Sutherland, The Sussex Ox, Polegate, East Sussex
For more information about the awards and ticket sales go to www.sussexfoodawards.biz
