We are pleased to announce the finalists of the 11th Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards, supported by our main sponsor Warner’s Budgens and associate partner Mise En Place
With over 3,000 nominations our judging panel had their work cut out for them to choose the finalists for this year’s awards.
Nomination forms were inserted into the March and April issues of the magazine and online. Our readers were invited to recommend their favourite food producers, suppliers, retailers, restaurateurs and hoteliers. A panel of judges used set criteria to whittle down the thousands of nominations we received to three finalists in each category, each of whom has been invited to the awards ceremony. The final judging stage will be conducted anonymously by an independent panel over the next month but winners will remain secret until the awards night itself on July 1 at Cheltenham Racecourse which will be compered by BBC Countryfile presenter and owner of Cotswold Farm Park, Adam Henson and BBC Masterchef winner and former Gloucester Rugby player and England captain, Phil Vickery.
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2013 Finalists:
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Newcomer of the Year sponsored by New Wave Seafood – • Purslane, Cheltenham • WholeFoods Market, Cheltenham • Prego, Broadway
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Butcher of the Year sponsored by NFU Mutual – • Andy Creese Butchers, Newent • Country Quality Meats, Nailsworth • Bath Road Butchers, Cheltenham
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Local Tea/Coffee Shop of the Year sponsored by Cotteswold Dairy – • Lavender Bakehouse, Chalford • Pepper Crescent, Cheltenham • The Kitchen, Minchinhampton
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Best Independent Retailer sponsored by Leapfrog PR – • Sherborne Village Shop, Sherborne • Primrose Vale, Cheltenham • Cotswold Food Store, Longborough
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Best Farm Shop sponsored by Field Fare – • Stancombe Farm Shop, Bisley • The Butts Farm Shop, South Cerney • Over Farm, Over
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Best Farmers’ Market Stallholder sponsored by Bruton Knowles – • Pippin Doughnuts, Stroud Farmers’ Market • Native Breeds, Cirencester Famers’ Market • Woodlands Farm Dairy, Cirencester Famers’ Market
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Food/Drinks Product of the Year sponsored by Frobishers Juices – • Malaysian Beef Rendang, The Cotswold Traituer, Moreton in Marsh • Corinium Ales, Cirencester • Blue Heaven, Woefuldane Organic Dairy, Minchinhampton
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Best Local Supplier/Producer sponsored by The Daffodil – • The Artisan Baker, Stroud • Pancake Farm, Chedworth • Ross & Ross Foods, Chipping Norton
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Best Neighbourhood Pub sponsored by BBC Radio Gloucestershire – • The Prince Albert, Rodborough • The Old Spot Inn, Dursley • The Keepers Arms, Quenington
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Best Pub Restaurant sponsored by Tayabali Tomlin – • The Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote • The Butchers Arms, Eldersfield • The Five Alls, Lechlade
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Best Cotswold Menu sponsored by Crest Insurance Consultants – • Star Bistro, Ullenwood • The Priory Inn, Tetbury • The Golden Cross Inn, Cirencester
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Chef of the Year sponsored by Bespoke Kitchens – • David Kelman, Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham • Gareth Fulford, Purslane, Cheltenham • Emily Watkins, The Kingham Plough, Kingham
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Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Peter Hickman Hairdressers – • Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham • 5 North Street, Winchcombe • Lumière, Cheltenham
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Hotel Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Hollies Care Centre – • Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham • Calcot Manor, Tetbury • Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Forest of Dean
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2013 Cotswold Food Hero sponsored by CJ Hole – To be announced on the evening…
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Tickets for the awards are £60 +VAT and include a champagne reception with canapés, superb goody bags filled with local produce, local wines, beers and soft drinks and a three course locally sourced meal with coffee. Tables of 10 are available at £600 +VAT to book your tickets call Ceri McQueen on 01242 211076 or email ceri.mcqueen@archant.co.uk. Payments can be made by debit or credit card and tickets are non-refundable.
