FDF announces host for Awards 2017
11 September 2017
Hardeep Singh Kohli has been announced as the host for this year's Food and Drink Federation Awards. The ceremony, which takes place on Thursday 21 September, celebrates the innovation, hard work, and commitment to quality of those who work in the food and drink manufacturing industry up and down the country.
Hardeep is a British broadcaster, writer and comedian. A keen foodie, Hardeep was a runner up in the inaugural series of Celebrity Masterchef and is the author of a bestselling Asian cookbook. In 2015, Hardeep also opened his own Indian restaurant in Edinburgh.
Taking place at The Brewery in London and sponsored by Santander, the FDF Awards include categories such as Exporter of the Year, Community Partner, Environmental Leadership, and Health.
There are also a number of categories for individuals, including Engineer of the Year and Scientist of the Year. The nominees represent the diversity of the industry and include individuals, established brands, and nimble SMEs. The full shortlist can be found here.
This year's category sponsors are Santander, General Mills UK Ltd, Kite Packaging, Grant Thornton UK LLP, Omron, Aktrion Food, Sheffield Hallam University, IFST, and PepsiCo.
Ian Wright CBE, Director General of the Food and Drink Federation, said:
“In these times of economic and political uncertainty, it is ever more inspiring to recognise the continuous hard work, engagement, and innovation happening in food and drink manufacturers across the country. The FDF Awards are a benchmark for the industry and a celebration of the people working in it. I look forward to the ceremony and to meeting all of our Award winners.”
Nicola Thomas, Head of Food & Drink Sector, Santander Corporate & Commercial, said:
“Supporting the food and drink industry has been a focus for Santander in 2017 and sponsoring these fantastic awards is one way to showcase our commitment to the sector. The standard of nominations was extremely high in all categories and congratulations must go to all those shortlisted. We understand the importance of the sector to the success of the UK economy and look forward to celebrating this with industry leaders at the awards.”
Notes for editors:
- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk
- Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. It has brought real competition to the UK, through its innovative products for retail customers and relationship banking model for UK SMEs.
More information
Contact Skye Oudemans, Corporate Affairs Division, at: skye.oudemans@fdf.org.uk, or 02074207120.
