Nominations now open in the inaugural Advertiser & Times Food & Drink Awards, sponsored by Harvest Fine Foods
THE Advertiser & Times is thrilled to announce the launch of its first-ever food and drink awards.
Shining a spotlight on the incredible achievements of the best in the industry across the New Forest and Christchurch, nominations are now open for you to vote for your favourite hospitality heroes.
There are 12 categories, with the three receiving the most nominations in each being shortlisted. Winners will be chosen by a panel of independent industry experts, and announced at a glittering black tie awards ceremony in March next year.
We’ve teamed up with headline sponsor Harvest Fine Foods, a Totton-based leading supplier of quality ambient, fresh, frozen and chilled produce, as well as a comprehensive range of non-food items.
Harvest’s business development chef Phil Clark is also one of the judges.
He said: “We are thrilled to be part of the prestigious A&T Food and Drink Awards, celebrating the best and brightest in the local area. At Harvest Fine Foods, we believe in supporting innovation, quality, and excellence in everything we do, and this sponsorship is a natural extension of our commitment to the food and drink sector here in the New Forest.
“We look forward to recognising the incredible talent and creativity driving the industry forward."
A&T deputy editor Liz Hendrie has seen first-hand the drive, passion and exceptional talent of those behind the huge success of the industry.
“Those in hospitality are among the hardest workers I’ve known,” she said. “They put in long, anti-social hours, in stressful and high-pressure environments that are constantly shifting to meet ever-changing customer expectations.
“Always pushing boundaries to deliver the best experience they can, hospitality workers do much more than simply put food and drink on the table – they keep communities connected and thriving, often at the busiest and most hectic times of the year.
“So these awards, in celebrating some outstanding achievements and recognising culinary excellence, cannot come soon enough. I really hope our local community, which has long benefited from a fantastic and bustling food and drink industry, gets fully onboard with this and gets nominating.”
A spokesperson for Harvest said: “As proud headline sponsors of the A&T Food and Drink Awards, Harvest Fine Foods is deeply committed to supporting local businesses and the vibrant food community.
“Our partnership reinforces Harvest Fine Foods’ dedication to promoting local talent and ensuring that the stories of regional producers are shared and celebrated on a larger stage.
“At Harvest we are proud to work with some of the finest local growers and producers, from small specialists to award-winning farms and market gardeners. We stock a wide range of fresh and ambient products from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, and the Isle of Wight.”
Harvest promotes a raft of advantages for eating local produce:
• Locally grown crops are harvested at their peak, often arriving at the market within 24 hours of picking. So, you can be sure you are getting the freshest produce from farm to table in 24 hours.
• Buying local helps Harvest support its local growers and the community.
• Collaborating with Harvest’s producers and learning more about the origin of food and the production methods used by the farmers.
Any food and drink business or individual located in the New Forest or Christchurch is eligible and nominating is easy – all you need to do is click here and tell us what makes your choice stand out from the culinary crowd.
Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 31st January. Finalists will be announced in the A&T on Friday 7th February, with winners revealed at the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst on Tuesday 25th March.
Those interested in getting involved by sponsoring an award category should email advertising manager Carol Shears at carol.shears@advertiserandtimes.co.uk
For more information visit: www.iliffemediapromotions.co.uk/new-milton-food-drink-awards
CATEGORIES
There are 12 categories to consider when nominating your most loved venue, be it for an unparalleled dining experience, a catch-up coffee, a freshly brewed craft beer, or to pick up your favourite local artisan produce.
So whether you’ve got a soft spot for your village boozer, swear your local bakery can’t be beaten, or have a favourite restaurant in mind for those special nights out, we want to hear from you!
Restaurant of the Year
The winner of this category will offer all-round excellence, topping the charts with its menu, drinks list, service and venue. It will be distinctive too; setting rather than following culinary trends.
Chef of the Year
If you know a chef whose menus always delight and never disappoint, this is their category. The top spot will go to someone who’s pushing culinary boundaries, whether innovating with new flavours, textures, techniques or zero-waste menus, and inspiring both diners and the next generation of chefs along the way.
Pub/Bar of the Year
All pubs and bars are eligible, no matter what their theme or style, but good vibes and excellent drinks are essential. There must be something which sets this venue above the rest, whether it doubles as a community hub or simply serves best-in-class beer.
Farm Shop/Deli of the Year
We’re looking for stores which sell the highest quality local, seasonal and speciality goods, are staffed by knowledgeable and helpful teams, and provide a welcoming atmosphere too - all of which turns the weekly shop from chore to pleasure.
Street Food/Pop-up of the Year
Open to street food vans, pop-up restaurants and kitchen takeovers, this award will go to a business which brings fun, flair and lots of flavour to the local menu, whether they’re flipping crepes, topping tacos, building Buddha bowls or scooping gelato.
Tearoom/Coffee Shop of the Year
With our area home to numerous outstanding tearooms, coffee shops and cafes - and more opening every month - this is set to be a hotly contested category. The winner will provide excellent food, drink, service and ambiance.
Beverage Producer of the Year
Whether it’s a vineyard or brewery, a tea blender, a coffee roaster or a soft drinks brand, the winner of this category will be best in class, have a distinct brand identity and have built a fan following, which sees customers and stockists buy time and again.
Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by Chewton Glen
From cottage industries to large-scale manufacturers, this category is open to all food producers, whether they are growing fruit and veg, baking bread or making cakes. The winner will be driven by both a personal passion and stellar professional standards.
Hotel of the Year
A true all-rounder will take home this title. From the warmth of the welcome and the appeal of the setting to the quality and diversity of the food and drink offering, anyone visiting the winning hotel, whether for drinks or dinner or an overnight stay, will give it five stars.
Hospitality Hero – sponsored by Whitehead Ross
This category shines a light on businesses across the hospitality spectrum. The winner will provide excellent customer service and a unique experience - and will always be evolving and innovating to keep loyal customers engaged and attract new audiences.
Sustainability Hero – sponsored by Diamond & Son
Open to both businesses and individuals, this category celebrates green trail-blazers within the local food industry. Whether they source solely local ingredients to curb food miles, turn leftovers into innovative dishes to combat waste or fuel their ovens via green energy, they are setting standards not only here and now, but for the future.
Food & Drink Hero
The winner of this award will be absolutely outstanding at what they do. Whatever food and drink role they play, what marks them out is the excellence they deliver and their willingness to champion the talents of others as well as their own.
