PUBLIC AS WELL AS JUDGES TO CHOOSE WINNERS OF A HOST OF CATEGORIES FROM BEST RETAILER TO COOK OF THE YEAR

AND TOWN'S FOODBANK WILL BE A WINNER AS EVENT IS SET TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE TRUSSELL TRUST NETWORK

The Warwickshire District Foodbank at the Kenilworth Centre will be a beneficiary from a celebration of the best of the local food and drink scene in a new awards programme designed to support local businesses as they re-emerge from Covid-19 lockdown.

The first Foodie Awards 2021 will culminate in a ceremony next May, following a finalists' night on Burns Night at Coventry's new Telegraph Hotel. It aims to reward the hard work of the local community in the past few months, as well as to help fight against hunger and poverty in the UK, by supporting the great work of the Trussell Trust.

Judges and public votes will decide on winners in several categories that focus on quality, service, and innovation with an emphasis on farm to fork. This will include best artisan food and drink producers, farm shop, independent food and drink retailer, newcomer, street food trader, and chef or cook of the year.

Three further special awards will also recognise the extraordinary efforts of businesses and individuals throughout the coronavirus pandemic - including the Covid-19 Resilience Award, and The Godiva Award.

The project brings together the creative minds behind Talk Business UK, Coventry BID and Visit Coventry, to champion the hospitality industry across the region.

Foodie Awards founder Jonathan Smith, of Talk Business UK, said: ''This will give a much-needed positive focus for the people in the food and drink sector across the region, delivering from farm to fork.

"With so many businesses hit by the direct and knock on effects of lockdown these awards will champion and celebrate the talent, passion, ingenuity and entrepreneurship of all those working so hard to grow, make, bake, brew, cook, host and serve their local communities.

"This awards programme is for all of us to say thank you!''

Entries will open for nominations from Kenilworth and Warwickshire businesses this month.

BID director Trish Willetts said: "We are incredibly excited to be working with the team bringing this to the fore.

"While the last few months have been incredibly tough on the industry as a whole, things are slowly starting to get back to normal and a new chapter is beginning.

"The awards will be a fantastic way to celebrate this and give businesses the recognition they very much deserve."

The finalists' night in January and the May awards ceremony – at a venue yet to be announced –will both be presided over by MC Kirsty Leahy of Kirsty Leahy Productions.

The Foodie Awards – raising money for eight foodbanks across Warwickshire and Coventry – are also being produced in partnership with journalist Amanda Chalmers of ChalmersNewsPR and food blogger Ellen Manning.

For a full list of categories and all the information, click here.