Introducing the winners of the Garbutt + Elliott Yorkshire Food + Drink Awards
Businesses from Yorkshire’s food and drink sector were recognised for their resilience and achievements at the annual Garbutt + Elliott Food & Drink Awards held recently at York Racecourse.
The awards return for its fourth year to crown the very best in Yorkshire’s vibrant food and drink community. Despite lockdowns and the challenges of the global pandemic, leading York and Leeds accountancy, advisory and audit firm Garbutt + Elliott hosted its first live event since 2019. There were 132 entries across the 11 award categories, including the overall winner.
Soanes Poultry was crowned as the overall winner, which was judged by Tony Farmer, Head of Corporate Finance at Garbutt + Elliott and Chef Consultant, Stephanie Moon. The award recognised the success of the family-owned integrated farming business that consistently produces exceptionally tasty produce and impressed the judges with its business approach during COVID-19. Soanes Poultry supply businesses ranging from the established Michelin starred Pipe and Glass in Beverley and Betty’s to up and coming London riverfront restaurant, Marsha. During lockdown, as well as building their business success they supported the local community in a variety of ways as well as supporting independent retailers.
This year there was also special emphasis on the ‘True Yorkshire Grit’ award and ‘Making a Difference’ award which respectively recognise a Yorkshire business that came out on top despite the challenges of the pandemic and the incredible work done to help the community by businesses in the food and drink sector. The winner of the ‘True Yorkshire Grit’ award was announced as Yorkshire Dama Cheese who overcame flood damage to their premises caused by Storm Ciara and the impact of COVID to launch two new cheese products which support local farmers by using goats’ milk that was being wasted due to over production. Northern Bloc scooped the ‘Making a Difference’ award in recognition of their limited edition The Show Must Go On! ice cream with all proceeds going to the Theatre Support Fund+, which supported Theatres and the theatre community through the pandemic.
Tony Farmer, Head of Corporate Finance at Garbutt + Elliott said: “We are thrilled to be back hosting a live event and bringing people together to celebrate and support the unparalleled food and drink scene here in Yorkshire. The standard of entrants was extremely high, showcasing great diversity and quality. Many congratulations to all our finalists and winners – it’s clear there are some great entrepreneurial businesses within our region and everyone who entered impressed us with their drive and determination.”
Stephanie Moon, Chef Consultant and Category Judge said: “The food and drink industry is perhaps one of the most challenging, but also one of the most rewarding sectors in business. Industry statistics make it clear that you need passion, but practical passion composed of great marketing, product positioning, and strategy – all of which are necessary to increase your chances of success. Soanes Poultry are a great example of this and are worthy winners of the Overall award.”
Nigel Upson, Managing Director at Soanes Poultry said: “We are delighted to be recognised as Overall Winners and Producer of the Year. What an amazing night and testament to all the hard work and commitment of our team who worked round the clock to supply independent retailers throughout the pandemic when many of the supermarkets had bare shelves and help support our local care homes and food poverty charity, EMS. This is fantastic to receive , especially on the back of such a challenging year – thank you.”
The full awards category winners are:
