Do you love real food? If so, why not put forward your food herbs for the BBC Food and Farming Awards ? Nominations close at midnight on Monday 27th January. If you haven’t already done so, time is of the essence, so please do hurry to nominate your food heroes or you’ll have to wait for another year.
BBC Food and Farming Awards
I’m passionate about real food and I’ve listened to Radio 4’s Food Programme almost since it started, way back in the 70s. The awards were launched fourteen years ago and have been gathering strength and kudos ever since. Now they’re the most valued and prestigious awards in the world of UK food.
I’ve been following the stories of those previously shortlisted as well as the winners on the Food Programme and have found them all deeply moving. They offer much “food” for thought.
Over the fourteen years these awards have been running, I’ve nominated any number of local businesses that I thought were offering fantastic food and fantastic service. I’ve also put forward a few names who I rate for the sterling work they’ve done in promoting real food.
Bread Matters
One such was Andrew Whitley. He’s made and continues to make a huge contribution to putting real bread back on the British table. Since his book, Bread Matters, published in 2006, TV programmes, real bread bakeries, publications, community bakers and blog posts have been springing up all over the country, in fact all over the world.
Andrew was instrumental in setting up the Real Bread campaign in 2009. I joined that year whilst I was on one of Andrew’s bread making courses. Those who follow me on Twitter will know from my handle that I’m a keen advocate. In 2011, one of my nominations finally made it through and Andrew won a Special Judges Award. Hoorah!
Real Chocolate
Sadly chocolate has not yet featured in these awards, but I live in hope that one day it will. I’m not sure if posthumous nominations are allowed, but I have put forward Mott Green for the adventurous and ethical work he did in setting up the Grenada Chocolate Company. His tragic death just before the Food Programme aired its broadcast, the chocolate world of Mott Green, could not have been more untimely.
Food and Farming Awards 2014
This year, things have been revamped slightly, following a “year off” in 2013. There are ten categories open for nominations and you can find out all about them on the BBC Food Programme page.
The producers are particularly keen to get nominations for BBC Cook of the Year. This is a category for those cooks who are challenging the perceptions of canteen food and creating tasty, healthy meals on a budget in our schools, hospitals, care homes and workplaces.
Amongst the line-up of star judges, we have our very own food blogger Jack Monroe this year. Star judges include Raymond Blanc, Valantine Warner and Tim Hayward. The winners will be announced at the annual BBC Food and Farming Awards ceremony held in Bristol on May 1st. The winners and finalists will also feature on a subsequent Food Programme broadcast.
The BBC, nor anyone else has offered me any incentives for writing this post. I do so because I passionately believe in Real Food and hope that my readers do so too.
ManjiriK - sliceoffme says
Another lovely post and I haven’t heard of these lovely awards before , but I shall follow the Food Progmm regularly now!Dang! I can’t cast a vote but well next time for sure. Hope Chocolate begins to feature soon!x
Tina Anand says
I have to confess I have never heard of the food and farming awards. I’m off to vote now. I like that we get to give something back to our local producers for all their hard work.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
This is the first I have heard of these Choclette. Lets hope they have some chocolate to include soon.
Choclette says
Jac, you have so many fabulous food producers up your way, it would be good to get some of them shortlisted at least. As for chocolate, I live in hope 😉
Sylvia F. says
Never heard of this awards but I’m off to vote!
Choclette says
Great stuff Sylvia 🙂
Karen S Booth says
GOOD for you Choclette! A FABULOUS post written with verve and passion! Karen
Choclette says
THANK YOU Karen – it’s a subject very close to heart.
Nazima Pathan says
Lovely – I have several local businesses in mind that I shall go and nominate. Thanks for the reminder !! x
Choclette says
Excellent, thanks Nazima.
belleau kitchen says
Thanks for highlighting this C x
Choclette says
🙂
Francesca says
Hello, my name is Francesca and I’m Italian. I stumbled upon your blog and I liked it because there are so many nice recipes that I would like to learn. I have joined your supporters. If you go too foul. Thank you.
Choclette says
Thanks for your comment Francesca and thanks for following too. Hope to see you again.
Caroline Taylor says
I love these awards, always so interesting. Can’t wait to see who wins!
Choclette says
Yes, it is interesting – would love to go to the awards ceremony.
Fiona Maclean says
A lovely post choclette, I’m off to find out more too.
Choclette says
Thanks Fiona – I’m sure you will have some favourites.
Jane Sarchet says
Off to vote…
Janie x
Choclette says
With some Cornish nominations hopefully Jane 😉
zebbakes.com says
Thanks for the prompt! I have just had a go at nominating Harts Bakery at Temple Meads, my first attempt at doing a nomination, who I think are just brilliant. I think the form is a bit demanding though. I wasn’t expecting to have to write an essay about why I was nominating. I suspect that would put lots of people off. I might go and look at some of the other categories! PS Your software is not recognising my wordpress login so just to say this is me Joanna @ Zeb Bakes xx
Choclette says
Yes, I thought the same Jo. I’m guessing they are looking for serious nominations and don’t have to wade through too many dubious nominations. I only ever do a couple of categories as it is time consuming. BTW your login has registered.
Lou, Eat Your Veg says
Oh I shall be voting, thanks Choclette for the post. I’ve regularly listened to the awards in the last few years and try to tune in to the Food Programme as often as I can, but as yet have never actually voted so good to have a nudge in the right direction!. Off there now…
Choclette says
Thanks Lou. It is a bit of a faff nominating, but hope you manage one or two.
Nayna Kanabar says
This is the first time I have heard of such awards.
Choclette says
They are well worth following Nayna.