Garbutt + Elliott launch third annual Yorkshire Food + Drink Business Awards

The Garbutt + Elliott 2020 Yorkshire Food + Drink Business Awards opened for entrants on 18 October, celebrating Yorkshire’s very strong food and drink sector and associated businesses.

The awards celebrate the food and drink industry in Yorkshire. They highlight the county’s growing position within the national and international marketplace and play a significant role in recognising entrepreneurs and businesses from across Yorkshire who have been part of creating the county’s great food industry.

Yorkshire and the Humber employs the highest number of people in the UK food and drink industry, latest figures have this number over 62,000. The region is home to some of the world’s best-known food companies as well as the UK’s highest concentration of small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

In fact, figures show we have more than 1,100 food and drink producers in the region with a combined turnover in excess of £8bn. Furthermore, this doesn’t account for associated businesses such as packaging, design, branding and distribution – all of which will find relevant categories to enter in their year’s awards.

In total there are 15 categories, five of which are new for 2020. Tony Farmer, Partner at Garbutt + Elliott said: “With the regional food and drink sector continuing to grow, we are more committed than ever to being part of the movement positioning Yorkshire businesses at the front of the game.

“Alongside the awards themselves we are setting up a new and exciting food and drink business networking group to support the regional industry and to encourage the leading and rising pioneers of the sector.”

Whilst fiercely competitive the regional food and drink sector is also, by nature, closely knit and supportive. The aim is to build new relationships to bring together large and small businesses to foster partnerships and share ideas.

Russell Turner, managing partner, Garbutt + Elliott said: “Our awards are now firmly fixed in the regional food industry’s calendar.

“What sets them apart is their accessibility. Small businesses can enter the same categories as those who have a position in the international marketplace and they have just as much a chance of winning.

“We’re proud to be celebrating 15 categories within the food and drink sector and have a diverse group of judges of exceptional calibre, who will be whittling down the shortlisted businesses.”

Categories will be announced and the awards have been open for entry since Friday 18 October, via Linked In (garbutt-elliott) and Twitter (@Garbutt_Elliott) and on www.garbutt-elliott.co.uk/food-awards

Categories include:

Yorkshire Food + Drink Ambassador

Judged by Catherine Scott of the Yorkshire Post, sponsored by Kyte Photogaphy

Business of the year below £500K turnover

Judged by Rob Whitehead, CEO Zubrance, sponsored by Xero

Business of the year over £500K turnover

Judged by Valerie Aston, Director Proudfoot Supermarkets, sponsored by Lake Financial Systems

Yorkshire Grit

Judged and sponsored by The Yorkshire Rows

Independent Retailer of the year (Including online)

Judged by Natalie Kelsey, Founder of The Curious Foodie, sponsored by Cedar Barn Farm Shop and Café

Producer of the year

Judged by a representative from FERA

Spirit of Yorkshire (Food + Drink Festival of the year)

Judged by Consultant Chef Stephanie Moon, sponsored by Your Local Link Magazine

Yorkshire Brand of the year

Judged by Rachel Goddard, Owner of The Yorkshire Mark , sponsored by Rollitts

Heart of Yorkshire – Charity of the year

Judged by team from Garbutt + Elliott

Young Business of the year

Judged by Nicola Whitehead, Founder of NJW Sales Support, Sponsored by York Press

Nourish Yorkshire

Judged by Tara Harris, Yorkshire Food Guide and Deliciously Yorkshire, sponsored by Deliciously Yorkshire

Quench Yorkshire

Judged by a representative from FERA, sponsored by Pick and Mix Marketing

Backbone of Business award

Judged by William Derby, CEO, York Race Course, sponsored by York Race Course

Innovation of the year

Judged by Matthew Kirk and Amanda Selvaratnam from PAPI, sponsored by PAPI

Overall business of the year of the year

Judged by team from Garbutt + Elliott

Businesses can enter by visiting  www.garbutt-elliott.co.uk/food-awards where they can also  find out more about our food + drink business network group. You can also e-mail awards@garbutt-elliott.co.uk or call 01904 464100.