Sussex food and drink grand finalists celebrate success

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 on February 7, 2018, at the Amex Stadium, hosted by awards patron Sally Gunnell OBE and BBC’s Danny Pike, where the winners will be revealed and receive their trophies.

Now in its 12th 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.

Sussex farmer and Nuffield scholar William Goodwin, who is chairman of the judges, said: “We have such an exciting grand finalists line up this year, offering an impressive range of first class, diverse businesses from across the county.

"The competition was really tough this year and the 32 grand finalists, 20 from West Sussex, seven from East Sussex and five from Brighton and Hove, should feel immensely proud at making it through to this final stage in the competition.

“Sussex’s reputation continues to grow and is now considered one of the leading regions in the UK for producing superb food and drink.

"We are delighted that the Sussex Food and Drink Awards scheme was supported by a record 15,000 public votes this year, testament that all our grand finalists would be worthy winners.”

Tickets for the BAFTA-style awards ceremony on February 7, 2018, are now on sale and include a spectacular seven-course Sussex produce banquet produced by Sodexo Prestige at the Amex Stadium in Brighton.

The 2018 grand finalists, strictly in alphabetical order, are:

Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-opBookham Harrison Farms, Rudgwick, West SussexJust Brownies, Shipley, West SussexLighthouse Bakery & School, Robertsbridge, East SussexThe Raw Chocolate Company, Henfield, West SussexThe Real Pie Company, Crawley, West Sussex

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year, sponsored by Natural PR with support from The Pass at South Lodge HotelBrighton Gin, Brighton and HoveRidgeview Estate Winery, Ditchling Common, East SussexWobblegate, Bolney, West Sussex

Sussex Food Shop of the Year, sponsored by Wealden District CouncilPlaw Hatch Farm Shop, Sharpthorne, West SussexRushfields Farm Shop, Poynings, West SussexThe Sussex Produce Company, Steyning, West Sussex

Sussex Butcher of the Year, co-sponsored by RP Meats Wholesale LtdArchers of Westfield, Westfield, East SussexGarlic Wood Butchery, Steyning, West SussexNew Street Butchers & Deli, Horsham, West Sussex

Sussex Farmers Market of the Year, sponsored by Harvey’s BreweryChichester Farmers Market, West SussexShoreham Farmers Market, West SussexSteyning Farmers Market, West Sussex

Sussex Eating Experience of the Year, sponsored by Blakes Foods64 Degrees, Brighton and HoveThe Artisan Bakehouse, Ashurst, West SussexThe Parsons Table, Arundel, West Sussex

Sussex Newcomer of the Year, co-sponsored by Kreston Reeves and Sussex Food and Drink Networketch., Brighton and HoveThe Parsons Table, Arundel, West SussexGreyhound Brewery, West Chiltington, West Sussex

Young Sussex Farmer of the Year for Plumpton College in association with Farmers WeeklyChristopher Appleton, Arlington, East SussexLuke Spalding, Ditchling Common, East SussexJack Stilwell, Forestside, West Sussex

Sussex Street Food of the Year, sponsored by Horsham Time Well Spent with support from Food Rocks and judges from super chefs Steven Edwards and Ian SwainsonGarlic Wood Farm, Steyning, West SussexJah Jyot, Southwater, West SussexPig and Jacket, Lewes, East Sussex

Sussex Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by Sodexo Prestige with support from super chef Matt GillanGeorge Boarer from etch., BrightonMichael Notman-Watt from 64 Degrees, BrightonMichael Sutherland, The Star Inn, Alfriston, East Sussex

For more information about the awards and banquet ticket sales go to www.sussexfoodawards.biz