Food and Drink Winners

Above: Food and Drink Awards 2007

Over 230 people attended Hampshire Life’s fourth annual Food & Drink Awards, sponsored by Breeze Volkswagen in Southampton. As in previous years, the nail-biting ceremony was held in the Rhinefield Members’ Marquee at the New Forest & Hampshire County Show in Brockenhurst.

The awards celebrated the fine food and drink this region has to offer and prior to the presentation guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, comprising local produce sourced by Hampshire Fare and served by HH Clark Caterers Ltd.

Debbie Thrower of ITV Meridian was our charming and witty compere for the night and a representative of each category sponsor presented the prizes. Hampshire Life publisher Guy Hanson thanked the sponsors, the suppliers, the guests and our hosts The New Forest Agricultural Show Society. At the end of the evening editor Emma Caulton highlighted the importance of food and drink in our lives and talked about the enjoyable time she spent shadowing a trio of last year’s award winners.

Pictures and captions:

Tony Knight

Photos

Above: Hayley Girling from Setley Ridge Vineyard is presented with the Drinks Producer of the Year Award by compere Debbie Thrower on behalf of HH Clark Caterers.

Right: After announcing Petersfield as the winner of Best Farmers’ Market, ITV Meridian's Debbie Thrower presents the award to David West, Sarah Read and John Small from Hampshire Farmers’ Markets.

Above: Compere Debbie Thrower and Alison Mathews of CPRE present the Best Food Producer of the Year Award to Stacey Hedges and Charlotte Spruce from Hampshire Cheeses. Below: Emma Higgins and Abby Janaway from Newlyns Farm Shop are presented with the Best Butcher/Meat Producer of the Year Award by Tim Brock of Hampshire Fare.

Above: Hampshire Life editor Emma Caulton presents the Chef of the Year award to Andy Mackenzie from the Lainston House Hotel. Right: James Winter from F Winter & Son receives the New Forest Marque Producer of the Year Award from Ron Lakey.

John West accepts the Restaurant of the Year Award from Hampshire County Councillor Michael Woodhall on behalf of JSW, Petersfield.

Above: Hampshire Life publisher Guy Hanson welcomes guests. Left: Ed Bellfield from Christie & Co presents the County Pub of the Year Award to Nick and Cath Young from The Bush Inn.

Richard Cuzens from the New Forest Agricultural Show Society presents the Best Specialist Food Shop to

‘Mr B’ from Cadogan & James.

Above: Amy Flint from NatWest presents the Newcomer of the Year Award to Julie and Rich Hodgson from The Isle of Wight Cheese Company Ltd. Left: Nick and Hayley Carter from The Selborne Arms are presented with the Most Distinctive Local Menu Award by Chandeep Nijhar of Wave 105 .

Above: Sarah Davis from category sponsor Tourism South East and compere Debbie Thrower accept the Best Farm Shop Award on behalf of the Dairy Barn Farm Shop. Left: John Holt from The Boardwalk, Port Solent presents the Best Organic Product/Trader Award to George Heathcote of Warborne Farm.

Ian Nelson from Sunnyfields receives the Hampshire Life Achievement Award from managing director of Archant Life South East Suzanne Heaven.