Sussex Food & Drink Awards

Three hundred and fifty guests attended The American Express Community Stadium last night (Thursday, January 31) to crown this years winners of the Sussex Food and Drinks Awards which were hosted by Olympic Gold Medalist Sally Gunnell OBE and Danny Pike from Radio Sussex.

The menu featured an array of Sussex goodies including:  Sussex beef and dairy, locally caught fish, locally grown fruit and vegetables and a selection of local cheeses, Sussex ground coffee and locally-made chocolates.

Clive Beddall OBE, Chairman of the Judges, said:

“All our grand finalists offer superb quality and innovation and reflect the rich diversity of the food and drink industry in this part of the world – and there are few areas of a modern food store or indeed a catering sector menu that cannot be supplied from Sussex.”

Winners were announced in an Oscar-style presentation.

• Best Sussex Farmer’s Market – sponsored by Harveys
Winner – Lewes

Runners up – Chichester & Steyning

• Sussex Farmer of the Year sponsored by Knill James
Winner – Martin and Gundrada Hole, Montague Farm, Pevensey

Runners up –  Harry and Pip Goring, the Wiston Estate and Phil and Steve Hook, Longleys Farm, Hailsham

• Best Sussex Food/Farm Shop sponsored by the Sussex Food & Drink Network
Winner – Veasey and Sons, Forest Row

Runners up – The Hungry Guest, Petworth and The Sussex Produce Company, Steyning

• Sussex Food Producer of the Year sponsored by The Southern Co-operative
Winner – High Weald Dairy, Horsted Keynes

Runners up – Caroline’s Dairy, Sidlesham, Nr Chichester and Just Brownies, Partridge Green

• Sussex Drink Producer of the Year sponsored by Natural PR
Winner – Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common

Runners up –The Dark Star Brewing Co, Partridge Green and Wobblegate pure apple juice, Bolney

•Best Sussex Eating Experience sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter

Winner – The Cat Inn, West Hoathly

Runners up – The Ram Inn, Firle and Wabi, Horsham

• Sussex Young Chef of the Year sponsored by Gram UK Ltd and Cheese Please
Winner – Jimmy Gray, Jeremy’s Restaurant, Borde Hill Gardens, Nr Haywards Heath

Runners up – Charlie Tayler, the Pass Restaurant, South Lodge Hotel, Lower Beeding and Ryan Hunter, Wingrove House, Alfriston

• Sussex Butcher of the Year sponsored by Natural Farms
Winner – John Murray Butchers, Loxwood

Runners up – Archers of Westfield and Bramptons Butchers, Brighton