Sussex Food and Drinks Business Revival celebrates award winners
Food and drink businesses from across Sussex came together to celebrate last week at Borde Hill Gardens.
Winners and guests came together at the Sussex Food & Drink Business Revival on Wednesday, September 22 with support from Visit Britain.
Guest speaker and awards sponsor Ben Milford, director of R.P. Meats and Blakes Foods, based in Brighton, said: “We’ve seen so many Sussex food and drink companies coming up with incredibly creative new activities tokeepthewolffromthedoorand stay in business over the last two years.”
Allison Ferns, from BBC Sussex, compered the event and led the cheers for the winners of the Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2021, who have been unable to enjoy their accolade at an awards banquet for the first time in the prestigious awards’ 15-year history.
Before reading out the names of the winners, she said: “It’s British Food Fortnight, so it is fitting that today is all about kickstarting our amazing local food and drink industry after such a grim couple of years. And seriously, after Brexit and Covid, people in Britain need you more than ever; to keep on creating deliciouslocalfoodanddrinkand to bring us a little cheer in what can be grim times.”
WilliamGoodwin,chairmanof thejudges,said:“Congratulations to all our fantastic winners. 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 winners’ line up offersanimpressiverangeoffirst class, diverse businesses from across the county,”
Theawards,carriedoverfrom 2020, received 17,000 votes from members of the public
The Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2021 winners are:
Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op WINNER: Jengers Craft Bakery, Billingshurst, West Sussex. GRAND FINALISTS: Bangers Galore, Horsham, West Sussex; and The Sussex Biltong Co, Balcombe, West Sussex
Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Natural PR WINNER: Long Man Brewery, Litlington, East Sussex. GRAND FINALISTS: Bolney Wine Estate, Bolney, West Sussex; and RidgeviewWineEstate,Ditchling Common, East Sussex
Sussex Butcher of the Year, sponsoredbyRPMeatsWholesale Ltd WINNER: Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row, East Sussex GRAND FINALISTS: Cottenhams of Lindfield – Craft Butchers, Lindfield, West Sussex; and Nick The Butcher, Hartfield, East Sussex
Sussex Farmers’ Market of the Year, sponsored by Harvey’s Brewery WINNER: Lewes Farmers Market, East Sussex. GRAND FINALISTS: Horsham Market (Saturday), West Sussex; and Shoreham Farmers Market, West Sussex
Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, sponsored by Lloyds Bank Cardnet WINNER: The Fig Tree, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. GRAND FINALISTS: Into TheBlue,Shoreham-by-Sea,West Sussex; and The Cat Inn, West
Hoathly, West Sussex
Sussex Food Shop of the Year, sponsored by Sussex Food and Drink Network WINNER: Rushfields Farm Shop, Poynings, WestSussex.GRANDFINALISTS: Jeremy’s Two, Cowfold, West Sussex; and Veasey & Sons Fishmongers, Forest Row, East Sussex
Sussex Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by SRC-Time WINNER:HeritagebyMattGillan, Slaugham, West Sussex. GRAND FINALISTS: Heritage Wheat, Keymer,WestSussex;andSkylark Cafe Restaurant, Eastbourne, East Sussex
SussexStreetFoodoftheYear, sponsored by Horsham District Foodies supported by Food Rocks WINNER: Mann & Moore, Horsham, West Sussex. GRAND FINALISTS: Pizza Leonati, Hooe, EastSussex;andTheBBQProject, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex.
Sussex Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by Blakes Foods WINNER: Dan Ibbotson from etch.inBrighton&Hove.GRAND FINALISTS: Freddie Innes, who was working at Ockenden Manor Hotel, Cuckfield, West Sussex; and Thomas Thwaites from Rathfinny Tasting Room, Alfriston, East Sussex.
Young Sussex Farmer of the Year, sponsored by Natural Partnerships CIC in association with Farmers Weekly magazine WINNER: Dan Hird, Lambert Farm, Plumpton, East Sussex. GRAND FINALISTS: Conor Haydon, who was working at Goodwood Estate, Chichester, West Sussex; and Dan Wells, who was working at Holmbush Farm, Balcombe, West Sussex.
For more information on the awards, visit Sussexfoodanddrink.org