STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 9AM SUNDAY 13 MARCH 2011
Press Release
Sunday 13 March 2011
Twelve Shropshire Producers Make the Prestigious
Food & Drink Diamond Award Shortlist
Twelve food and drink producers from Shropshire have been announced as
finalists in this year’s HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF) Diamond Awards.
This is the fourth annual Diamond Awards from HEFF, the food group for the
heart of England, which celebrates the best of local food and drink from
across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire
and Birmingham and the Black Country.
Twelve producers have been shortlisted across the 10 product categories and
in the Special Diamond Awards of GROW, INNOVATE and EXCEL along with
this year’s new award, The Midcounties Co-operative Award for New Business.
The Special Diamond Awards recognise business achievement rather than a
product.
More than 230 products were entered into this year’s awards in the 10
product categories of Bakery; Condiments and Preserves; Confectionery; Dairy;
Desserts; Drinks; Fresh Produce; Meat, Poultry and Game; and Prepared Foods.
The Shropshire finalists are: Salop Pickle Works and The Chocolate Nest,
both from Bayston Hill, Shropshire Cheese Company, Llanyblodwell,
Dukeshill Ham Company Ltd, Telford, Gill’s Puddings, Market Drayton, The
Wood Brewery, Craven Arms, Mid Shires Foods Ltd, near Bishops Castle,
Bings Heath Smokery, near Shrewsbury, Coopers Gourmet Sausage Rolls,
Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre, Shrewsbury, Wenlock Spring Water,
Church Stretton, Oaklands Eggs, Telford and Mum’s Stuff, Weston under
Lizard.
(See finalists document for products and categories.)
The winners will be revealed at the Diamond Awards Gala Dinner which will
take place on Saturday 21 May 2011 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
The winners of each product category will go head-to-head to win the highly
coveted Special Diamond Award for TASTE which will be the final award to be
presented on the night.
The evening will be hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Suzanne Virdee and will
include a mouth-watering locally sourced dinner and awards presentation to
celebrate local food and drink. Tickets to this glittering annual event are now
on sale at just £65.
For more information or to book tickets contact the HEFF office on 01743
452818.
Notes to Editors
HEART of ENGLAND fine foods press office: Laura Bradbeer
Telephone: 01743 452818
Email [email protected]
HEART of ENGLAND fine foods was formed in 1998 to promote and raise
awareness of food and drink within the West Midlands.
Through an extensive programme, the organisation helps the region’s food
and drink businesses to develop and create profitable and sustainable markets
for their products.
Profiles and pictures of the winners of the 2010 HEFF Diamond Awards are
available on request.
HEART of ENGLAND fine foods manage the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre
on behalf of owners Shropshire Council with funding from Advantage West
Midlands.
Thank you to our Diamond Award category sponsors