Each September in Surrey, chefs’ whites are swapped for black ties, shopkeepers’ aprons for smart shirts; publicans step from behind the bar to indulge in a well-deserved glass or two, and event organisers enjoy being guests for once. The reason is the annual gathering of the cream of Surrey’s food and drink scene – the prestigious Surrey Life Food and Drink Awards.
Local Food Britain has its home in Surrey, and founder Tracy Carroll is an energetic supporter of the awards, which are run by family-owned publishing business Archant, which produces Surrey Life and many other top-notch titles.
“I’m often asked why Local Food Britain doesn’t start its own awards,” says Tracy. “And I always say, ‘Why would we, when Archant does it so well?’ It’s wonderful to see the contest growing – this is the fourth year in Surrey and an amazing 4,000 votes were cast. These awards truly mean a lot and we really encourage our members to get involved.”
Once the voting closes, the team of expert judges gathers for Judges Day, hosted by awards organiser Stephanie Drury, Archant’s south marketing and promotions manager, and Surrey Life deputy editor, Matthew Williams, who is chair of judges. The group’s task is to consider each of the shortlisted entries, so bulging files of nominations are scrutinised and voters’ comments digested. The shortlists are drawn up from the public vote, and it’s very rare that any adjustments are needed, but it’s down to the judges to ensure all the finalists are eligible to go through in their category.
“It’s this panel of independent judges that sets the Archant awards apart,” says Tracy. “I was there for Judges Day this year and although the atmosphere is relaxed, it’s also highly professional. This is an opportunity for the experts to pool their knowledge, and discuss the criteria that will help each of them to make their final choice. We feel very excited for the finalists, and bursting to congratulate them, but everything is highly confidential and no-one says anything until everyone has been told the good news and the finalists are announced. Then it’s all systems go for the judges.”
Indeed it is, for they visit every finalist, with the exception of Best Local Food Event, unless the nominated occasion happens to be in the judging period – although the judge always has an excellent knowledge of local events, and has most likely attended the ones up for the award. Deliberations over, it’s time to decide who will be crowned their winner at the black tie awards ceremony, to be held this year on 8 September at Foxhills Club and Resort at Ottershaw.
“It’s a real privilege to be a judge, but challenging, too,” says Tracy, who has judged the Celebration of Sussex Life awards, championed by Surrey Life’s sister title, Sussex Life. “You’re very aware that this is a really big deal for everyone involved, from the members of the public who have taken the time to vote, to the nominees themselves, so all the judges take a great deal of care, but at the end of the day, everyone who makes it to the shortlist has done incredibly well, and all three finalists are really celebrated. Winning the award is the cherry on the cake.”
So, if you believe yours is the county’s Best Local Menu, you run the Farm Shop of the Year, organise the Best Local Food Event or, indeed, have aspirations to walk away with any of the prestigious awards – take part in next year’s contest when voting opens in early 2017. And of course you don’t have to be a nominee to get involved – because without the public vote, there would be no finalists.
For now, we can only wait with baited breath for the winners to be announced, and to say to all the businesses and individuals who received votes in this year’s awards – well done, you’re doing a wonderful job and the readers of Surrey Life appreciate it. Thank you from them and from all of us here at Local Food Britain.
Useful links:
Surrey Life Food and Drink Awards
Celebration of Sussex Life Awards (closing date 21 August 2016)
Tags: awards
Surrey Life Food and Drink Awards
