The closing date for the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards 2023 is fast approaching – make sure that you have your say.
Food and drink are an intrinsic part of Norfolk. We see it in the fields that make up our countryside, the farmers’ markets that tempt us with delicious local produce, the coastline that brings us seafood delights, and the chefs that turn simple ingredients into something truly special.
The Norfolk Food and Drink Awards 2023 are all about recognising and celebrating this wonderful local industry.
The awards are brought to you by Norfolk magazine, in association with the Eastern Daily Press, and supported by Bread Hospitality.
We are proud to be working with our headline sponsor Alliance East Anglia, which is a great supporter of the awards and of celebrating the food and drink sector in Norfolk.
“Norfolk has such great access to amazing local ingredients,” said Herman van den Berg, general manager of Alliance East Anglia. “This, combined with truly remarkable and passionate people makes for a winning recipe. Norfolk’s food and drink industry has this incredible ability to zone into and focus in on quality and substance over quantity. The result is a taste sensation!”
We would also like to thank our category sponsors: Brasted’s, Bread Source, Castlemeadow Care, The Gin Trap Inn, The Gunton Arms and Hotel School at City College Norwich.
We have 11 categories (details below) open for entries, and will be accepting entries from businesses themselves, as well as nominations from customers.
Entries will remain open until midnight on Sunday, June 11, 2023 – nominate your foodie favourites and see the full entry criteria at norfolkfada.co.uk
Judging will then commence, with two judges per category going out to complete organised meetings, or unannounced visits.
They will judge against set criteria to determine the finalists for each category. The winners will be announced at the 2023 Norfolk Food and Drink Awards event at Yalm in the Royal Arcade, Norwich, on Monday, September 18.
FRONT OF HOUSE EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Brasted’s
Judges in this category will be looking for the level of front of house provision that makes a truly enjoyable visit to the restaurant, café or pub.
“We are delighted to support the Front of House Experience category at the 2023 awards,” said Nick Mills, managing director of Brasted’s.
“We have been proud and humble winners of this category many times in the past. We will be looking for exceptional hospitality that delivers an unforgettable experience for the customer.”
BEST COFFEE SHOP OR CAFÉ
Sponsored by Castlemeadow Care
The judges will look for a Norfolk coffee shop or café that is able to create an outstanding customer experience – a warm welcome, high-quality tea and/or coffee, plus a range of other drinks, as well as tasty food made from fresh, local produce, all served with an excellent level of customer service.
“Norfolk produces a vast selection of food and drink which seems to be ever increasing, from cheeses to chutneys to craft ales and gin,” said Garry Gardiner, commercial director of Castlemeadow Care.
“It is wonderful when you visit a Norfolk pub or restaurant serving some of the best produce that Norfolk has to offer. This in turn positively impacts the county through employment, our economy and tourism.
“Food and drink play an important part of daily life in all our care homes. We always try to create a restaurant-style experience with our dining areas providing a relaxing and sociable environment.
“Customer service and hospitality plays a crucial part in our values of ‘creating special moments’ and enhancing ‘a new quality of life’.”
FIELD TO FORK
Sponsored by Hotel School at City College Norwich
Judges are looking for individuals or businesses with the ability and vision to grow food or drink produce in this region and how demonstrate a passion for what they do.
“The food and drink industry in Norfolk has so much going for it – beautiful locations for our hotels and restaurants, a vibrant foodie community, fantastic seafood and locally-grown produce to work with, and employers with a clear commitment to helping the next generation come through,” said Joe Mulhall, head of hospitality, catering, tourism, hair and beauty at City College Norwich.
“It’s no wonder that many of our alumni from the Hotel School eventually end up opening their own restaurants here.
“We are incredibly proud to be sponsoring the Field to Fork category. Understanding the importance of using fresh, locally-sourced produce is a key theme throughout our students’ learning. With so many incredible farmers, producers and brewers in Norfolk, there is no shortage of possibilities for putting this learning into practice and creating amazing dishes in the process.”
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Gunton Arms
This prestigious award is open to chefs from all areas of Norfolk hospitality, including hotels, restaurants, pubs, contract catering, fine dining, and the private and public sector.
“The Norfolk food and drink industry is vast and diverse,” said chef Stuart Tattersall and general manager Simone Tattersall from The Gunton Arms.
“From a thriving street food scene, magnificent seaside eateries to Michelin starred restaurants, we have it all. The produce is outstanding and the producers passionate, and we are fortunate to have a driven and talented workforce.
“We have chosen to support the Chef of the Year category because if the pandemic years have taught us anything it is what a resilient industry hospitality is, and the hard work, grit and determination to succeed as a chef should be celebrated but above all valued.”
BEST NEWCOMER
Sponsored by Bread Source
The award is open to any business or individual who has started a food and/or drink venture in the last three years.
“The Norfolk Food and Drink Awards are a prestigious event where true local businesses have their chance to shine,” said Bread Source directors Steven Winter and Hannah Winter.
“Producing is one of the hardest businesses you can be a part of, and it requires energy, a clear vision and impeccable standards. Any business that meets these requirements is to be commended and we thank Norfolk magazine and the EDP for helping to highlight these individuals.
“The Norfolk Food and Drink Awards hold a very special place in our hearts. We won our first award here as Bakery of the Year more than 10 years ago. It is truly satisfying to not only been nominated and win the award, but now to also judge the Best Newcomer category.
“The hard work and dedication of their businesses is second to none and we want to celebrate the very best produce and producers in Norfolk. Good luck!”
PUB OR BAR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Gin Trap Inn
Nominations will be accepted for pubs and bars across Norfolk that have created a high-quality offering for their customers.
“Dining out in Norfolk has never been better,” said David Lamyman, director of The Gin Trap. “Norfolk now has four Michelin starred restaurants, two coming in the last 14 months. Seven restaurants have three AA Rosettes and one has four Rosettes. It’s a really exciting time to be involved in this industry in Norfolk.
“British pubs are admired the world over, helping to pull in millions of international visitors. With many pubs closing each week, I want to celebrate the hard work and skills that publicans exhibit in running their successful hostelries.”
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Nominations will be accepted for restaurants across Norfolk that have the ability to create an excellent dining experience, from the ambience to the service, with a varied menu using local fresh produce, and outstanding customer service.
BEST NORFOLK PRODUCER
This award recognises the fantastic food and drink products being created within the county. The product must be made in Norfolk, although it is not essential that every ingredient is sourced from within the county.
FOOD AND DRINK RETAILER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises farm shops, markets and retailers who combine vision, a passion for high quality and fresh local produce.
STREET FOOD VENDOR
The judges will be looking for a street food vendor offering sweet treats, savoury snacks or take-away meals.
Vendors eligible for this award should be based in Norfolk and attend markets, fairs, events and shows.
FOOD/DRINK EXPERIENCE
Judges are looking for the very best food/drink experience in Norfolk. For example, this could include farmers’ markets, themed food events or themed menu experiences.
The winner could be an experience that has been successfully running for years, or a brand new food/drink experience that is seen to be a great success to date.
Judges will also want to hear about plans for the future.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Sponsored by Alliance East Anglia
The Norfolk Food and Drink Awards event at Yalm on September 18 will also include an award to recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the county’s food and drink sector.
The winner could come from any part of the industry – a grower, producer, cook, restaurateur, retailer, educator or local food and drink champion.
This is a non-nominated category and the judges will select someone who is an expert in their field, has a proven track record, inspires colleagues, educates and sets standards which others aim to attain.
“I think this award now means more than ever,” said Herman van den Berg, general manager of Alliance East Anglia. “Hospitality has always been a challenging environment to be successful in, but since the pandemic this challenge has been on a whole new level.
“The impact the past three years has had is hard to describe, but it’s clear that some very talented, hard-working people have seized the opportunities it’s brought and triumphed against all odds. Choosing just one will be very hard.”
Nominate your favourites for the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards at norfolkfada.co.uk by midnight on Sunday, June 11.
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