Thirteen food and drink producers from across Shropshire have been announced as finalists in this year’s HEART of ENGLAND fine foods Diamond Awards.
This is the fourth annual Diamond Awards from HEFF, the Shrewsbury based food group that celebrates the best of local food and drink from across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Birmingham and the Black Country.
The thirteen shortlisted producers feature across the 10 product categories and in the Special Diamond Awards of GROW, INNOVATE and EXCEL along with this year’s new award, The Midcounties Co-operative Award for New Business. The Special Diamond Awards recognise business achievement rather than a product.
Well over 200 products were entered into the 2011 awards in the 10 product categories of Bakery; Condiments and Preserves; Confectionery; Dairy; Desserts; Drinks; Fresh Produce; Meat, Poultry and Game; and Prepared Foods.
The Shropshire finalists are: Salop Pickle Works and The Chocolate Nest, both from Bayston Hill, Shropshire Cheese Company, Llanyblodwell, Dukeshill Ham Company Ltd, Telford, Gill’s Puddings, Market Drayton, The Wood Brewery, Craven Arms, Mid Shires Foods Ltd, near Bishops Castle, Bings Heath Smokery, near Shrewsbury, Coopers Gourmet Sausage Rolls, Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre, Shrewsbury, Wenlock Spring Water, Church Stretton, Oaklands Eggs, Telford, Mum’s Stuff, Weston under Lizard and The Flavoured Butter Co, Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre, Shrewsbury.
The winners will be revealed at the Diamond Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday 21st May 2011 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The winners of each product category will go head-to-head to win the highly coveted Special Diamond Award for TASTE which will be the final award to be presented on the night.
The evening will be hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Suzanne Virdee and will include a locally sourced dinner and awards presentation to celebrate local food and drink. Tickets to this glittering annual event are now on sale at just £65.
For more information or to book tickets contact the HEFF office on 01743 452818.
