HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF), based at Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury, is celebrating its fifth annual Diamond Awards by launching two new business awards and shaking up its product categories.
The Diamond Awards celebrate the fantastic food and drink from across the heart of England region which includes Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Birmingham and Black Country.
This year the categories have been expanded to celebrate the success of businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors with the brand new Retail Award and Hospitality Award. These awards and judging criteria have been developed in conjunction with Service Science Ltd.
The Special Diamond Awards of GROW, INNOVATE and EXCEL, which recognise business excellence rather than products, will remain but now retail and hospitality businesses are also eligible to enter.
The product categories have been revamped to now include Alcoholic Drinks, Soft Drinks and Prepared Meats making nine product categories in total. The other categories are; Bakery and Confectionery; Condiments and Preserves; Dairy; Desserts; Fresh Meat, Poultry and Game; and Prepared Foods. The winner of each product category will receive a Diamond Award and go head to head to win the prestigious Special Diamond Award for TASTE.
The Diamond Awards Gala Dinner including awards ceremony and locally sourced menu will be held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Saturday 12 May.
The deadline for entries is Friday 20th January. A select team of industry experts will form the judging panels with judging taking place in February and finalists announced in March.
To enter online visit www.heff.co.uk or call the HEFF office on 01743 452818 for your entry pack.
