Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2017: Finalists Announced

Nigel Barden, chair of judges, Elaine Lemm, co-chair of judges, and Jamie Hall of Neal’s Yard Dairy, were among a host of other awards judges, including Holly Shackleton, editor of Speciality Food, tasked with whittling down the category finalists.

Currently in its fourth year, the awards recognise top retailers within the specialist independent retail market and celebrate the best standards, levels of service, product innovation and community involvement in the sector.

The regional winners, which represent the best retailers that stand out among their local competition from across nine UK regions, will be selected from the category finalists and announced live at the awards ceremony, as well as the overall Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year.

Nigel Barden, chair of judges said, “It’s a joyous journey visiting the awards finalists around the UK and, with the standards being so high, it’s the attention to detail that really makes the winners stand out. It’s also apparent when staff have been well trained and crucially enjoy their work. Inspired, informed and enthusiastic folk behind the counter make a shopping experience so much better. To achieve this sense of nurturing in the Online Category is a piece of modern wizardry!

“It’s also been marvellous to see the recently established businesses rise to the top in the Newcomer of the Year category. It’ll be a privilege to hand over the accolades at the Farm Shop & Deli Show on 24th April and to witness the look on the winners’ faces that clearly illustrates how all of their teams’ hard work has paid off.”

Finalists of the Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2017 include:

Baker of the Year: Bondgate Bakery / Hambleton Bakery / Hobbs House Bakery / The Hungry Guest

Butcher of the Year: Brace of Butchers / Cunningham Butchery and Food Hall / Meat NW5 / The Pink Pig Farm / Walter Rose & Son

Cheesemonger of the Year: Cheese Please / Cheeses of Muswell Hill / Paxton & Whitfield, Jermyn Street / The Courtyard Dairy

Delicatessen of the Year: Arch House Deli / Billingtons of Lenzie / Delilah Fine Foods Leicester / Papadeli / The Gourmet Pig / The Norfolk Deli

Farm Shop – Large Retailer of the Year: Bodnant Welsh Food Centre / Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop / Drewton’s Farm Shop / Keelham Farm Shop Ltd

Farm Shop – Small Retailer of the Year: Cross Lanes Organic Farm Ltd / Foxholes Farm Shop / Roots Farm Shop / The Gog Farm Shop / Uncle Henry’s / Welbeck Farm Shop

Fishmonger of the Year: Latimers / Ramus Seafoods / The Fresh Fish Shop Ltd

Foodhall of the Year: Bakers & Larners of Holt / Cranstons / Brampton Food Hall / Delifonseca Dockside / Ludlow Food Centre

Greengrocer of the Year: Andreas of Chelsea / K.D. Davis & Sons / Rafters of Driffield

Local Shop of the Year: FINK / Shropshire’s Own / Siop Pwllglas / StockGhyll Fine Food

Market of the Year: Horsforth Farmers Market / West Malling Farmers Market

Newcomer of the Year: Brace of Butchers / Court Farm Shop / Donaghy & Sanderson / Love Cheese / The Lambing Shed Farm Shop

Online Business of the Year: Dukeshill Ham Co Ltd / Farmison / Parsnips and Pears / The Cornish Fishmonger

Further details about the finalists can be found here.