THE SUSSEX Food and Drink Awards were launched at the South of England Show at Ardingly last weekend.
Industry leaders gathered at the event on Friday June 6 to celebrate the awards' success and to sample local produce.
And organisers are urging the public to cast their votes in this year's competition.
Host Clive Beddall OBE said: "The su
ccess of the awards mirrors the increasing popularity of produce from Sussex.
"In recent years, the county's producers of food and drink, with their talents for innovation, have moved to the forefront of the local food revolution that is sweeping the United Kingdom.
"More and more food stores and restaurants are recognising that Sussex produce means high quality."
An important goal of the awards is to educate people on the variety of quality ingredients that can be found on their doorstep.
The importance of young people in the future of local produce has been highlighted by the introduction of a category for Sussex Young Chef of the Year.
The judges will be looking for a chef between the age of 16 to 25, who is working or studying in Sussex and has the ability to plan, prepare and present a menu based on their knowledge of the local produce grown, reared or caught in Sussex.
The categories are:
Sussex Food Producer of the Year
Sussex Drink Producer of the Year
Sussex Farmer of the Year
Sussex Butcher of the Year
Sussex Young Chef of the Year
Best Sussex Eating Experience
Best Sussex Farmers Market
Best Sussex Food Shop The awards are based on public voting and everyone in Sussex is allowed one nomination or vote per category.
To vote visit
www.sussexfoodawards.com or call 01273 207155.
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