16 August 2016

Dorset and Cornwall food and drink producers competing for regional title at top industry awards

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Clipper Teas in Beaminster, Dorset is going head-to-head with Norton Barton Artisan Food Village in Bude, Cornwall to win the Regional Growth Business Award (South West) in the industry-leading Food and Drink Federation Awards. The two shortlisted companies represent the best of the South West and are drawn from opposite ends of the region, emphasising the quality of food and drink manufacturing present right across the area.

• Clipper Teas, based in Beaminster, Dorset produces a range of high quality teas, coffees and hot chocolate. Ever since being established in 1984 with just two chests of the finest Assam teas, Clipper has prided itself on being innovative. It was the first brand to launch green tea into UK supermarkets and has led the way in green, white and organic teas and infusions, and in 1994 it became the UK's first tea to carry the Fairtrade mark. Today Clipper Tea is sold in 50 countries across the world, but still blends and packs all its teas on site in Dorset, where it has close to 100 employees.
• Norton Barton Artisan Food Village, located near Bude, Cornwall is one of two sites in Cornwall awarded Food Enterprise Zone status in June 2015. The site is home to award-winning artisan producers Cornish Charcuterie (hard and soft charcuterie), North Coast Cider and Popti Cornish Bakehouse (savoury biscuits & snacks). Production is in small batches primarily using home-reared meat and locally sourced ingredients. Owners Richard & Fionagh Harding are developing a centre of food excellence at Norton Barton Artisan Food Village with a view to creating good quality full-time jobs in an area which suffers from skill shortages and is highly dependent on seasonal employment.

The Food and Drink Federation Awards 2016 will showcase and celebrate the best of food and drink businesses from right across the UK. These firms are a cornerstone of the food and drink industry and we take pride in recognising companies that are making such a valuable contribution to the success and future of the sector.

Finalists will gather together with their peers and colleagues on 22 September 2016 for a gala evening at The Brewery, London to recognise the industry's achievements and to hear which finalists have been successful. As well as acting as a platform for the industry, the evening – which will be hosted by broadcaster and presenter Hardeep Singh Kohli – will enable guests to come together and discover more about the many innovations underway in food and drink in the UK.

Trefor Griffith, Head of Food and Beverage at category sponsors Grant Thornton UK LLP commented: “Grant Thornton are delighted to once again be supporting the Growth Business category for this year's Food and Drink Federation Awards. As a firm, we're committed to helping dynamic businesses unlock their potential for growth. Food and beverage is a key industry for us and as the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, it's great to see these businesses recognised.”

Ian Wright, Director General, FDF, said: “We value the importance and contribution of our regional growth businesses within the food and drink industry and are proud to support and foster the brand names of tomorrow as they establish and develop. The South West contains some outstanding food and drink businesses and Clipper Teas and Norton Barton Artisan Food Village represent the cream of the region's talent. It is a real pleasure to see such a diverse range of food and drink represented in the shortlist and I would like to say thank you to our sponsor, entrants and judges for their efforts.

“We look forward to welcoming the finalists, guests and supporters to an evening that we are sure will be a wonderful showcase for our industry's strength, expertise and endless creativity.”

Secure your place at this year's event registration online

More information

Contact the FDF press office via press.office@fdf.org.uk or via 0207 420 7131/20/18

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