Now in their seventh year, the awards have become a firm fixture in the calendar for the region’s specialist food producers, retailers and hospitality providers and are a chance to celebrate their achievements alongside their peers.
Entries are now open for nine food and drink product categories, which will see individual items judged for their appearance, flavour and texture by a group of up to 100 independent judges, with five in each category going forward as shortlisted finalists. The judging process will be overseen by Campden BRI, world leaders in Food and Drink research and sensory evaluation. There are also Special Diamond Awards recognising business achievements, across the retail and hospitality and catering sectors.
The winners will be revealed at a glittering event held in Birmingham in May next year, which will include a meal created from some of the region’s finest produce, celebrating all West Midlands food and drink.
Chief executive of HEART of ENGLAND fine foods, Karen Davies MBE, said: “This is the chance for the wonderful products made by our members to shine, as well as for their successes as businesses to be highlighted to the whole industry.
“We have a really strong food sector in this region, which continues to go from strength-to-strength, so we’re calling on them all to take this opportunity to share their achievements with everyone. The profile that can be achieved with an award win, or even being shortlisted, has real value to a food business that should not be underestimated.”
The categories now open for entries are: Alcoholic Drinks; Bakery And Confectionery; Condiments And Preserves; Dairy; Desserts; Fresh Meat, Poultry And Game; Prepared Foods And Snacks; Prepared Meats; Soft Drinks. To acknowledge individual business success there are three special awards, under the headings Grow, Innovate, and Excel. The Excel Award is open to all members working alongside HEFF including both producer and business service providers. A Taste Award will presented to the overall champion of each of the product categories. Full details are available with the entry forms.
As well as food and drink categories, the Hospitality Provider of the Year and Retailer of the Year awards will also feature as part of the evening, the only regional awards of their kind.
Businesses which take a title on the night will earn the right to display the HEFF Diamond Awards Winner’s emblem on their product, with those shortlisted also entitled to promote their ‘Finalist’ status on their packaging.
HEART of ENGLAND fine foods represents food businesses from across Birmingham and the Black Country, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Membership of HEFF signifies that each of those businesses meets high quality standards in hygiene and business practice and also means they have access to business and marketing support, including being able to reach retail, wholesale and catering buyers from across the country and even internationally through the HEFF Trading Desk.
More information on award entries is available from www.heff.co.uk.
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