Taste Awards judges at the ready amid final call for entries

The annual celebration of local food and drink businesses is run by regional food group Deliciouslyorkshire in association with The Yorkshire Post, and with judging due to start in mid-August, this week is the last chance to enter and be in with a chance of picking up a prestigious award and catching the attention of major retailers, including Asda, the award’s sponsor.

Judy Bell chairman of Deliciouslyorkshire and founder Shepherds Purse Cheeses, said: “The Taste awards are a fantastic opportunity for producers and business owners in the region to showcase their products and services to a huge audience.

“As well as being in with the chance of being crowned one of our 2015 Taste Award Champions, the awards are a also a great opportunity to receive some valuable feedback from our panel of expert judges who include a number of industry and retail experts, chefs, food writers and BBC Radio personality Nigel Barden.”

The annual awards attract the best local food and drink producers each year to a glittering ceremony in October at the Harrogate Pavilions where the very best the county has to offer is celebrated in style.

Business ranging from small kitchen table producers to large scale farms, delis, restaurants and everything in between are welcome to enter the awards which are a real celebration of taste and quality covering 21 categories.

The full list of categories is: Best “Free From” Product, Best Bakery, Best Fresh Produce, Best Fresh Meat, Best Prepared Meat, Best Yorkshire Pork Pie, Best Fish & Seafood, Best Ready to Eat, Best Cheese, Best Ice Cream, Best Savoury Condiment, Best Sweet Preserve, Best Confectionery, Best New Business, Best Yorkshire Breakfast, Best Use of Local Produce on a Hotel or Restaurant Menu, Best Yorkshire Afternoon Tea, Best Independent Retailer, Best Wholesaler Distributor, Local Food Hero and Best Drink including sub-categories Best Beer, Best Wine or Spirit and Best Beverage.

One overall supreme champion will be chosen too, and will follow in the footsteps of last year’s champion, ice cream makers Ryeburn of Helmsley whose mango yoghurt stole the show.

The entry deadline has been extended until 5pm on Friday to give more producers and business owners the chance to enter via Deliciouslyorkshire’s website.

For more information, visit www.deliciouslyorkshire.co.uk