WHERE’S THE BEST FARM SHOP IN WARWICKSHIRE?
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.
One of the first, and in some ways, most important, categories added to the list was Best Farm Shop. Here, the judges will be looking for a farm shop that leads the way in sales of farm to fork produce, offering top quality, a broad range of produce and great service all in one place.
It’s also about identifying those farm shops that go the extra mile whilst simultaneously keeping food miles low and championing produce from local growers, producers and suppliers, finding supportive and sustainable ways of working with them and showcasing what the county has to offer.
Foodies co-organiser Amanda Chalmers, said: “We decided early on in the proceedings that the farm to fork message was very much at the heart of these awards. Culinary excellence is rightly championed via menu and service standards, but we felt it appropriate to also shine more of a spotlight on the importance of the origins of those ingredients and, not least, the people who help bring those quality ingredients to our own kitchens. They have also come to the foreground during lockdown with more shoppers seeking out their nearest farm shop in favour of yet another supermarket trip. If there are any farm shops out there you feel deserve recognition, now’s your chance to nominate them.” For a full list of categories plus information on how to enter or become a sponsor, visit https://foodieawards.co.uk
