Warwickshire News Mine

These new awards are designed to fully reflect the diversity of the region’s food and drink.

One of the most successful winners in 2007 was The Granville @ Barford, which came away with two awards, winning Best Restaurant and Champion of Local Produce.

Val Kersey, owner of The Granville, said: “Winning the awards last year really did put us on the map and had such a positive impact on our business. We had only been trading for six months and winning the awards gave us so much fantastic publicity, it definitely increased our bookings. I’d strongly recommend all food and drink businesses apply.”

And now the call is going out to the region’s finest food and drink producers, retailers, restaurants, cafes, pubs, guest houses, visitor attractions, chefs, waiters and waitresses to enter the 2008 awards.

Businesses have until the 31st July to enter, after which a maximum of five businesses per category will be short-listed, in relation to their quality, excellence in customer service and innovative use of local produce.

The winners will then be announced at a Gala Awards Dinner on the 18th September at the Macdonald Ansty Hall Hotel.

Three new award categories are being added this year, the 7th year of the awards:

Best Dining Pub/Inn - acknowledging the growing popularity of Gastro Pubs.
Best Restaurant/Café within a Visitor Attraction - recognising the importance of food and drink as part of a visitors’ overall enjoyment of an attraction or leisure destination.
Best Food and Drink Experience - acknowledging the importance of all elements in the provision of food and drink, including menu range, availability of local produce, service standards and facilities.

Anne Cumberlidge, Tourism Business Adviser from Coventry & Warwickshire, said: “The increase in categories this year means that all Food and Drink Businesses now have the opportunity to enter the Awards. We know that by winning an award businesses benefit in so many ways, from the Marketing and PR surrounding the awards, to the increase in staff morale and the invaluable feedback they receive from the judges.”

The Coventry and Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards is organised with the support of representatives from North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwick District Council, Warwickshire County Council, CVOne, Shakespeare Country, Fresher by Miles, Heart of England Fine Foods, Henley College, the Chamber of Commerce and Business Link West Midlands, with support from Advantage West Midlands.

The closing date for entries is Thursday 31st July and for the first time entrants can apply on-line via the website http://www.foodanddrink2008.co.uk.  It is free for businesses to participate in the Awards, apart from covering the cost of the Judge’s meal. Entrants must complete the form, attach samples of their menu, promotional material, a list of suppliers and state in no more than 250 words why they deserve to win.  Businesses must use the criteria for the awards before they submit their entry.

For further information on how to apply, or for sponsorship opportunities, please see the website http://www.foodanddrink2008.co.uk.

Link to WCC