Sally Gunnell launches Sussex Food and Drink Awards

The businesses were nominated by the public and assessed by an expert panel of judges, chaired by food expert Clive Beddall, with 48 from West Sussex.

Mr Beddall said: “We can justifiably boast that we have some of the country’s best food and drink producers here in Sussex and our farmers, producers and sellers work hard to provide and promote high quality local produce to their local communities.”

Over a hundred leading lights in the agricultural, food and farming community enjoyed ‘Eggs Jubilee’, specially created by Paul Peach, from the Horse Guards Inn at Tillington and reigning Sussex Young Chef of the Year, followed by interesting debate around the topic of food sustainability and sport.

Speakers on the panel included Sally Gunnell, Clive Beddall, Nick Hempleman, the current winner of Best Sussex Food/Farm Shop, Richard Benyon MP for Newbury, Gwyn Jones, former VP of the NFU, and David Allam, high sheriff of East Sussex and member of the South of England Agricultural Society.

Voting is now open for the public to choose their favourites from the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2012/13 finalists list, either online or through SMS text voting,

For more information visit their website.

Voting closes at midnight on October 14 and winners will be revealed at an awards dinner in January 2013.

The West Sussex finalists are:

Sussex Farmer of the Year Award sponsored by Knill James:

Sir Sebastian Anstruther, the Barlavington Estate, Petworth

John & Alison Ford, Priors Byne Farm, Partridge Green

Harry Goring, the Wiston Estate, Steyning

Tim and Charles Harrison, R Harrisons & Sons, Rudgwick

Chris, Caroline and Robert Hodgkins, Locks Farm, Washington

Tom Tupper, Bignor Farm, Bignor

Best Sussex Food Producer sponsored by The Southern Co-operative:

Bangers Galore, Horsham

Besmoke, Arundel

Caroline’s Dairy, Sidlesham

Ginger’s Kitchen, Partridge Green

Goodwood Home Farm, Goodwood

Just Brownies, Partridge Green

Piglets Pantry, Worthing

Prosperity Brownies, Lancing

Best Sussex Eating Experience sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter:

The Cat, West Hoathly

Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield

Simply Delicious, Bognor Regis

Tottington Manor, Edburton

Wabi, Horsham

Best Sussex Farmers Market sponsored by Harveys:

Arundel Farmers Market

Chichester Farmers Market

Shoreham Farmers Market

Steyning Farmers Market

Sussex Butcher of the Year sponsored by Natural Farms:

Clive Miller, Hurstpierpoint

John Murray, Loxwood

New Street Butchers, Horsham

S K Hutchings, Partridge Green

Sussex Young Chef of the Year sponsored by Gram (UK) Ltd and Cheese Please:

Charlie Tayler, South Lodge Hotel, Horsham

Jimmy Gray, Jeremy’s Restaurant, Borde Hill

Jonathon Wheatland, Ardington Hotel, Worthing

Paul Peach, The Horse Guards Inn, Tillington

Steven Pelling, Felbridge Hotel, East Grinstead

Tom Goodchild, The Crabtree Inn, Lower Beeding

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year sponsored by Natural PR:

Bolney Wine Estate, Bolney

Dark Star Brewery, Partridge Green

Hepworths Brewery, Horsham

Stopham Vineyard, Pulborough

W J King Brewery, Horsham

Wobblegate, Bolney

Best Sussex Food/Farm Shop sponsored by the Sussex Food & Drink Network:

Cowdray Farm Shop, Midhurst

The Hungry Guest, Petworth

Lodsworth Larder, Lodsworth

Rushfields Farm Shop, Poynings

The Sussex Produce Company, Steyning

The Village Larder, Washington