Queen's vintner judges Sussex Food and Drink Awards
Her Majesty's Clerk of the Royal Cellars has agreed to be the expert judge for Sussex Drink Producer of the Year in the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2007/08, searching for the best local producers and the shops, pubs, restaurants and markets which sell their wares.
Working with Simon Dodds, Managing Partner of Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP, the Sussex legal firm sponsoring this award, Mr Edward Demery CVO, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners, Chairman of fine wine merchants, Justerini and Brooks Ltd, and who also selects wines for H.M. Queen's wine cellar, will assess and ensure the quality of finalists for this award.
"We wanted to sponsor the Sussex Food & Drink Awards as we feel it's important to support local producers and to help people to find out where they can get the stunning Sussex produce available on our doorstep, said Simon Dodds, Managing Partner from Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP.
"I am honoured to be judging this award with such a prestigious expert and we will have an exciting challenge ahead as Sussex has a wealth of world-beating vineyards and breweries, as well as top quality fruit juice makers and dairies and the winners could come from any of these categories and probably more besides."
The awards are based on public voting and everyone in Sussex is valid for one vote per category and the judges will assure the quality of the finalists who receive most votes.
Awards organisers are urging food and drink lovers across the county to get voting and support their local producers. Voting can be done online at www.sussexfoodawards.com or on voting forms available at the 'A Taste of Sussex' stalls at the major Sussex food events throughout the summer and autumn.
This is the second year of the awards which attracted thousands of votes last year. They are organised by The Priory Partnership, a leading Sussex PR and events agency, with support from A Taste of Sussex, the food and drink division of Sussex Enterprise, JUSTBIZ web solutions and media partners The Argus and BBC Southern Counties Radio.
The 2007/08 Sussex Food and Drink Awards include:
· Best Sussex Food Shop – sponsored by Strutt & Parker, leading Sussex property agents for land owners and farmers
· Best Sussex Eating Experience – sponsored by Business Link, helping link the producers with local restaurants, pubs and other outlets
· Sussex Butcher of the Year – sponsored by SEEDA, encouraging butchers to support their local farmers
· Sussex Farmer of the Year – sponsored by Lloyds TSB Agriculture, rewarding the biggest contribution to promoting local produce in the county
· Sussex Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by Budgens, which stocks a wide range of Sussex produce
· Sussex Drink Producer of the Year – sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter, leading law firm in Sussex
· Best Sussex Farmers Market – sponsored by the awards creators: A Taste of Sussex, part of Sussex Enterprise; JUSTBIZ web solutions; and The Priory Partnership, PR & events.
"We have created these awards to celebrate the wonderful producers in our county and promote the Sussex quality of food and drink," said Paula Seager, Awards Director and Managing Director of The Priory Partnership.
"Our goal is to reduce food miles and help people in Sussex to find and enjoy the best food and drink available on our doorstep. We also aim to help local farmers and producers, as well as the businesses that support them, to thrive."
Every person who votes will have a chance to win dinner for two in the brasserie and one night's accommodation in a deluxe room at the stunning Alexander House Hotel, a finalist in the 2006/07 awards.
