Search is on for Norfolk’s food and drink heroes

Nominations are now open for this year’s Norfolk Hero Food & Drink Awards, which recognise outstanding local food and drink producers and suppliers.
 
Organised by the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association, the 2014 awards were launched on Tuesday 11 February at Blickling Hall, where food lovers and judges mingled with last year’s winners, who provided samples of their produce.
 

Bray’s Cottage Pork Pies, one last year’s winners of the Norfolk Hero Food & Drink Awards

 
The Aylsham Show is a strong supporter of food and drink in Norfolk and established the awards in 2007 to recognise the county’s champions, individuals and businesses. It honours those who make great food, produce delicious drinks or provide a first-class, home-grown menu.
 
Norfolk Hero Food & Drink Awards Committee chairman Jacinth Rogers said: “It’s once a year that we honour creative individuals and businesses in the farming, food and drink industry from our beautiful county and it’s such a pleasure to award them for their hard work.
 
“These awards have only been going for eight years, but they bring great benefits to the winners and nominees, which is vital to our local economy, tourism and the quality of our produce.”
 
Anyone can nominate a hero, whether it is their local pub, shop or neighbour who makes outstanding food or drinks with passion and enthusiasm.
 
Nomination forms are available at cafés, pubs and shops across the county and can be returned to: Richard Bryan, White Gates, The Street, Oulton, Norwich NR11 6AF.
 
Nominations can also be made online at: http://theaylshamshow.co.uk/norfolk-food-drink-nomination-form/
 
Please nominate your Food & Drink Hero by 1 June 2014.
 
The winners will be announced at the Aylsham Show on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August at Blickling Park, Aylsham.
 
This year’s sponsors include: Championship sponsor – Larking Gowen; category sponsors – BOCM Pauls, Dewing Grain, Gressingham Foods, PIC UK; Other sponsors – National Trust, Morton’s Event Hire, Paul Bailey Photography, Steve Jenkins Design, Create Communications, Jetprint, Groveland Apple Juice, Mrs Temples Cheese and Woodforde’s Norfolk Ales.
 
The 2013 winners were:

 
Reepham’s Panther Brewery was runner-up for the best new food or drink venture in 2011.
 
For more information, visit: http://theaylshamshow.co.uk/food-hero-awards
 
The Awards also have a Facebook page that provides information about the competition and winners throughout the year: https://www.facebook.com/norfolkherofoodanddrinkawards
 

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