Aylsham Show: Norfolk Hero Food and Drink Awards
Entries are open for this year’s Norfolk Hero Food and Drink Awards, organised by the team behind the Aylsham Show.
The awards were launched at an event last night, April 13, at the Buckinghamshire Arms in Blickling, just yards from where the Aylsham Show will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29.
The Aylsham Agricultural Show Association established the Norfolk Hero Food and Drink awards in 2007 – the first of its kind in the county.
Now in its tenth incarnation, the awards have become highly regarded among food and drink businesses around Norfolk.
The list of previous winners is a who’s who of the county’s best and most promising food and drink businesses.
There are five categories:
- Best Specialist Food or Drink Producer
- Best Use of Norfolk Produce on Menu
- Best Food or Drink Supplier/Retailer
- Best New Food or Drink Venture
- Aylsham Show Individual Food or Drink Hero
Once the judging for the five categories has been completed and announced later in the year, there will be a second round of judging to find the Norfolk Hero Food and Drink Championship winner.
The championship winner will be announced on the day of the show.
Aylsham Show’s Hero Awards Chairman, Jacinth Rogers, said: “The reputation for Norfolk food and drink has grown and grown over the years and for good reason.
“The producers working in our county are of the highest quality and have won a wonderful reputation for their enthusiasm and knowledge.
“These awards are an opportunity for those people who work extremely hard and with a great level of passion to be rewarded by public recognition.”
This year’s main sponsor is Lovewell Blake.
Shaun Mary, partner responsible for Lovewell Blake’s specialist food and drink team, said: “We have long understood the importance of the food and drink sector to the region’s economy, and especially how vital it is that we encourage artisan producers to thrive and grow.
“The Norfolk Food Hero Awards champion the very best of what the county has to offer, and we are delighted to be sponsoring the awards for the first time in 2016.”
The awards are open to individuals and businesses in the food or farming industry throughout Norfolk who create, produce, cook or market food and drink products of outstanding quality, with passion and enthusiasm.
Last year’s winners were: Norfolk Brewhouse at Hindringham, The Anchor at Morston, Arthur Howell from Wells, Davina Tanner from Café Brittania, the Reepham Dial House and the Kings Arms Coaching Inn at Swaffham.
The Kings Arms also won the overall championship.
Nominations must be completed by June 6. Forms will be distributed in the coming weeks, or visit www.theaylshamshow.co.uk for more information and to enter.