The Grand Finalists in the Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2014/15 have finally been revealed this week, following an eight-month intensive process, including several phases of expert judging and the verification of over 10,000 votes from members of the public.
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 taking place on 29th January at the Amex Stadium, hosted by Sally Gunnell OBE and BBC’s Danny Pike.
Now in its ninth 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.
Leading dairy farmer and Nuffield scholar, William Goodwin, who is chairman of the judges, said: “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 and we are so proud of everyone who has made it through to this final stage in the competition.
“Just as it was in the Sussex Young Chef of the Year cook off last month, the judges’ decision was unanimous in each category and we are looking forward to welcoming all 24 Grand Finalists to the spectacular awards banquet in January, where our winners and runners up will be revealed.”
The three grand finalists in each of the eight awards categories, strictly in alphabetical order, are:
Sussex Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Spofforths Chartered Accountants
The Goring family, Wiston Estate, Washington, West Sussex
Tim Hassell, Goodwood Home Farm, Goodwood, West Sussex
Charlie Hughes, Southview Farm Dairy, Bury, nr Pulborough, West Sussex
Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by The Southern Cooperative
Caroline’s Dairy, Sidlesham, West Sussex
Cocoa Loco, West Grinstead, West Sussex
Nell Ball Farm Foods Ltd, Plaistow, West Sussex
Sussex Farmers Market of the Year, sponsored by Harveys Brewery
Horsham Local Produce Market, West Sussex
Lewes Farmers Market, East Sussex
Steyning Farmers Market, West Sussex
Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Sussex Food & Drink Network
Highdown Vineyard, Ferring, West Sussex
Langham Brewery, Lodsworth, Petworth, West Sussex
Wobblegate, Bolney, West Sussex
Best Sussex Food Shop, sponsored by Veasey & Sons and Cheese Please
Charlie’s Farm Shop, Bury, nr Pulborough, West Sussex
Rushfields Farm Shop, Poynings, West Sussex
Tablehurst Farm Shop, Forest Row, East Sussex
Sussex Butcher of the Year, sponsored by Absolute Butchery
Bramptons Butchers, Kemptown, Brighton & Hove
A C Coughtrey, Pulborough, West Sussex
Leppards Family Butchers, Mayfield, East Sussex
Best Sussex Eating Experience, sponsored by Natural PR
Coach & Horses, Danehill, East Sussex
The Curlew, Bodiam, East Sussex
Zari’s Restaurant & Lounge, Crawley, West Sussex
Previously announced, Sussex Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by Sodexo Prestige
Dan Cotton, The Crabtree, Lower Beeding, West Sussex
Tim Sheed, The Pass, South Lodge Hotel, Lower Beeding, West Sussex
Ryan Tomkinson, East Sussex National, Little Horsted, East Sussex
The Grand Finalists will join over 300 leaders in the food, drink and farming industry for a superb seven-course Sussex feast created by Sodexo Prestige at the Sussex Food and Drink Awards banquet and tickets are now on sale here
