AN AWARD CATEGORY DEDICATED TO COVENTRY BUSINESSES
A celebration of the best of Coventry and Warwickshire’s food and drink scene is at the heart of a new awards program designed to support businesses as they re-emerge from lockdown. The first Foodie Awards 2021, in partnership with Visit Coventry, lists among its guest judges Birmingham-born Michelin star chef Glyn Purnell and chef-turned-restaurateur Andreas Antona, founder of The Cross in Kenilworth.
Click here to read more about the judges. Entries are open now ahead of a finalists’ night on January 25th at the city’s new Telegraph Hotel – and a ceremony in May.
Judges and public votes will decide on winners in several categories that focus on quality, service and innovation with an emphasis on farm to fork, including best artisan food and drink producers, farm shop, independent food and drink retailer, newcomer, street food trader and chef or cook of the year.
Three further special awards will also recognise the extraordinary efforts of businesses and individuals throughout the coronavirus pandemic – including the COVID-19 Resilience Award sponsored by Visit Coventry and The Godiva Award, sponsored by Coventry BID. The Foodie Awards will also be raising money for The Trussell Trust network of eight foodbanks in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The next category under the spotlight, the new Godiva Award has been specially introduced for Coventry businesses. As a symbol of Coventry and its medieval past, Lady Godiva represents overcoming adversity, which is what this award is about.
Judges will be looking to identify a Coventry Food & Drink business that has reached out to the Coventry community in a way like no other, a business that has its roots in Coventry but has a regional, national and even international feel. As the city with the most twinned cities in the world Coventry’s Godiva Award will be extended to a business that puts Coventry on the map.
Foodies co-organiser and Coventry BID Director, Trish Willetts said: “This award is sponsored by Coventry BID for a business that has put Coventry or the Region on the Map. A business that has showcased themselves and has highlighted the area.
“We are so lucky to have some many business that have gone the extra mile and invited people to be ‘Sent to Coventry.’ It has been a difficult year, but the way many of our businesses are adapting to the swiftly changing ways of working and still striving forward has been so incredible to see.”
She added: “It really is a time to shop locally and support our small businesses more than ever. As we have shopped locally during Lockdown 1 & 2 we should continue to do so as they have been there for us in the hardest of times.”
Closing date for entries is December 31st. For a full list of categories plus information on how to enter or become a sponsor, visit https://foodieawards.co.uk
