Dozens of foodie businesses throughout Hambleton and Richmondshire have officially been shortlisted for the Flavours of Herriot Country Awards 2012 ““ with the lucky winners announced in November.
Organised by The Herriot Country Tourism Group and supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, the winners of these prestigious awards will be revealed at a lunchtime ceremony, hosted by BBC Radio York, to be held on Friday November 16 in The James Herriot Hall at Thirsk Racecourse.
Local businesses from all areas of the food, drink, and hospitality industry have put themselves forward over the last few months for scrutiny by a panel made up of some of Yorkshire’s top food experts. The judges now have the (very pleasurable!) task of anonymously visiting all the finalists for a ‘mystery shopping’ session before deciding on the winners.
Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The people behind these Herriot Country cafes, dining pubs, restaurants and food shops all deserve recognition for their contribution to the Yorkshire food scene. Thanks to them, we have an international reputation for our food and hospitality and choosing the winners will be a tough task!”
Annie Stirk, food and drink consultant for Yorkshire Life magazine, who has been one of the competition judges for a number of years, and is sponsoring this year’s ‘Food Producer of the Year’ category, said: “It’s time for the best in the area to be rewarded for their hard work and passion, and I know I’m not alone in looking forward to taste testing the best of the best!”
The full list of shortlisted businesses is as follows:
Breakfast of the Year ““ sponsored by Sweet Moments, Northallerton
• Bliss Café and Patisserie, Thirsk
• Berry’s Farm Shop and café, Wensleydale
• The Café at Sam Turners, Northallerton
Tea Room of the Year ““ sponsored by Bread Actually, Bedale
• Herriot’s in Hawes
• Teahee! Cheesemonger & Espresso Bar, Easingwold
• Roots Farm Shop and café, Northallerton
Food Producer of the Year ““ sponsored by Absolutely Food PR & Marketing
• The Swaledale Cheese Company, Richmond
• The Little Chocolate Shop, Leyburn
• Taste Tradition Ltd, Thirsk
• The Little Red Berry Co., Ripon
Village Shop of the Year ““ sponsored by Black Sheep Brewery
• The Smithy Farm Shop, Thirsk
• Spring House Farm Shop, Northallerton
• Rainton Village Store
Specialist Retailer of the Year ““ sponsored by Aroma Restaurant, Northallerton
• Campbell’s of Leyburn
• Bah Humbugs sweet shop, Ripon
• Deli On Duck Hill, Ripon
Foods of the World ““ sponsored by Yorebridge House, Wensleydale
• Bangla Fusion, Northallerton
• Saffron Indian, Leyburn
• Jaipur Spice, Easingwold
Dining Pub of the Year ““ sponsored by Complete Yorkshire
• The Durham Ox, Crayke
• The Charles Bathurst Inn, Richmond
• The Moor and Pheasant, Thirsk
• The George at Wath, Ripon
Restaurant of the Year ““ sponsored by Nero Training
• Vennell’s, Ripon
• Overton House, Richmond
• Yorebridge House, Wensleydale
Independent Butcher of the Year ““ sponsored by Vale of Mowbray, Northallerton
• Kitson’s, Northallerton
• Johnsons of Thirsk
• Cockburn Butchers, Leyburn
• Roots Farm Shop, Northallerton
Fish and Chip Shop of the Year ““ sponsored by Barkers of Northallerton
• Seven Seas Fisheries, Thirsk
• White Horse Café, Northallerton
• Land and Sea Fisheries, Thirsk
Independent Brewery of the Year ““ sponsored by Grand Central Railway Co
• Wensleydale Brewery, Leyburn
• Black Sheep Brewery, Ripon
• Thornborough Cider
The Reader’s Choice of the Year and Outstanding Achievement of the Year awards have no shortlist and the winners will be announced at the event on 16th November.
Further sponsors of this years awards are ““
• Aspect CPM LLP
• Chapters Hotel & Restaurant
• Darlington and Stockton Times
• Farrah Confectionary
• Hygicare
• Info Display
• Old Oak Cottages
• Spa Vending
• Thief Hole Cottages
• Wensleydale Creamery
• World of James Herriot
• Yorkshire Ridings Magazine