Expanded awards call for best of British independents

The awards, which have been run by Great British Food magazine for the last seven years, have just launched a host of new retail-focused categories in a bid to uncover local gems that wouldn’t normally get national press attention. These include Best Bakery, Best Butcher, Best Fishmonger, Best Cheesemonger and Best Food Market. In previous years the shortlist has been compiled in-house for each category, with consumers having the final say by voting for their favourite options. This year, however, it will be up to shoppers and retailers themselves to decide on the shortlist. Co-founder and chair of the judging panel Natasha Lovell-Smith hopes this will invigorate the awards and encourage smaller, lesser-known retailers to get involved: “The world of British food wouldn’t be half as exciting or vibrant without the incredible farm shops, butchers, cheesemongers and markets that sell it. National and global uncertainty makes this a tricky climate for independent retailers, making those businesses that manage to innovate and excel all the more inspiring.”

As well as encouraging traditional bricks-and-mortar shops to nominate themselves, Natasha and the team are hoping to see entries from market stalls, pop ups and online sellers too. “Independent retail in the UK is so dynamic, we want to hear from businesses of all shapes and sizes that represent the future of British food. Don’t be afraid to shout about your success and encourage your customers to do the same by nominating your business,” she adds.

The Great British Food Awards were launched in 2014 to celebrate the country’s finest artisanal produce, as well as the hard-working people behind the scenes. This year, the awards are bigger and better than ever, with lots of new categories and celebrity judges. Retailers interested in entering food and drink into the producer categories - judged by top chefs including Raymond Blanc, Monica Galetti, Eric Lanlard and Michel Roux Jr - will find full details on the website or can email info@greatbritishfoodawards.com.

To encourage consumers and companies alike to get involved in the awards, those who submit a nomination will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win one of 16 bottles of British craft gin (worth over £550 in total) from some of the UK’s most acclaimed distilleries, including Piston, Deerness Distillery, Isle of Bute Gin, Curio, Penrhos Distillery and many more.

How to get involved:
Stage 1:
Retailers and businesses are invited to nominate themselves in the various categories and encourage their customers to do the same.

Stage 2:
After the nominations close all entries are counted and verified, with the top five in each category being put to a final public vote.

Stage 3:
One winner and two runners up will be chosen and crowned the winners. Final results are announced in the winter edition of Great British Food magazine (on sale 29th October 2020).

THE CATEGORIES
Best Bakery
Best Butchers
Best Cookery School
Best Fishmonger
Best Cheesemonger
Best Food Market
Best Independent Online
Retailer
Most Influential Chef, Cook
or Food Writer
Best Cookbook
Best Pub
Best Restaurant

BEST FARM SHOP OR DELI:
North of England
South of England
East of England
West of England
Midlands
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland

Nominate your business at here. Nominations are now open and close on April 3rd 2020.