PRESTIGIOUS FOOD & DRINK AWARDS GET READY TO CELEBRATE
Hundreds of Sussex businesses have entered this year’s prestigious Sussex Food & Drink Awards and with 17,000 public votes, organisers are getting ready to celebrate the champions of 2020.The countdown is now on for the Sussex Food & Drink Awards banquet, taking place on 29 April at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, which will bring over 300 leaders in the food, drink and farming industry together to celebrate the ‘best in Sussex’ at this unique and lively awards ceremony. Tickets are now on sale at https://sussexfoodawards.biz and organisers are urging people to book their spot early to avoid disappointment.
Now in its 14th year, the Sussex Food & Drink Awards is run by Natural Partnerships Community Interest Company (CIC), co-directed by Hilary Knight of the Sussex Food & Drink Network, specialist consultant for local food businesses; and Paula Seager, Managing Director of Natural PR Ltd, a leading Sussex PR firm.
Said Hilary Knight, co-director of Natural Partnerships CIC, “We are absolutely thrilled that so many businesses, both familiar and new, have engaged with the awards again this year and to have received 17,000 votes from the public makes us very proud and excited about the future. The quality of the entries we have received again this year demonstrates the superb innovation in Sussex food and drink and is testament to the recognition and value that is placed on winning these awards. We cannot wait to celebrate our winners in April at our very special awards banquet.”
Guests at this glittering ‘Sussex foodie event of the year’ will be the first to know who is crowned Sussex Butcher of the Year, sponsored by RP Meats Wholesale Ltd; Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op; Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Natural PR; Sussex Farmers’ Market of the Year, sponsored by Harvey’s Brewery; Sussex Food Shop of the Year, sponsored by Sussex Food & Drink Network; Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, sponsored by Lloyds Bank Cardnet; Young Sussex Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Natural Partnerships CIC in association with Farmers Weekly; Sussex Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by SRC-Time; Sussex Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by Blakes Foods; and Sussex Street Food of the Year, sponsored by Horsham District Foodies.
Since voting closed in January, the expert judging panel, chaired by prominent local farmer and Nuffield Scholar, William Goodwin, has been busy carrying out further judging and three Grand Finalists in each category will be announced to the public in March.
Olympic gold medalist and patron to the awards, Sally Gunnell OBE, will host the awards ceremony with Danny Pike of BBC Sussex, where winners will be revealed and receive their coveted trophies. Guests will be treated to a wonderful ‘Sussex bubbly and Harvey’s ale reception’ followed by a superb seven-course banquet created by Sodexo Prestige and the Amex Stadium head chef, David Crawford and his team, using superb Sussex ingredients.
Book your tickets now for the 2020 awards banquet and come and celebrate the very best in Sussex food and drink at https://sussexfoodawards.biz/awards-banquet/