Glamorous awards showcase food and drink producers

A GLAMOROUS awards show highlighted the very best of the county's food and drink producers.

The Diamond Jubilee Taste of Gloucestershire Food and Farming Awards 2012 took over The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse for a glitzy black tie dinner.

BEST PUB FOOD: The Fleece at Cirencester, from left, Michael Nunn, Vickey Beales, sponsor Paul Martin, from Bottlegreen drinks company, Stephen Robinson and Rebecca Smith.
cheers: Days Cottage, from left, sponsor Peter Lockey, from Midcounties Co-operative Society, David Kaspar, Helen Brent-Smith and sponsor Laura Roper.
business of the year: Cotswold Traiteur. From left, Baker Brother Harry Herbert, Steph Green, sponsor Karl Goodman, commercial director of Creed Foodservice, Francis Green and Baker Brother Tom Herbert.
Independent: The Farmers Table from left, Stephen Ball, Wendy Ball, Simon Ball, Citizen editor Ian Mean, and Nick Boston.
OUTSTANDING: Charles Martell and Son Ltd, from left, Sasha Martell, sponsor Andrew Mitchell Stead, event co-ordinator for Gloucestershire Quays, and Charles Martell.
TOAST: Three Choirs Vineyard, from left, Thomas Shaw, sponsor Kevan Blackadder from Gloucestershire Echo, and Caroline Shaw.
BEST FARMER: Cullimore Organics from left, Jamie Cullimore, sponsor Russell Marchant, principal of Hartpury College, and John Cullimore.
good start: Junior cook winner Louis Horrell, St Thomas Rich's School, with Mary Cunningham, store team leader from The Whole Foods Market; below, young chef winner Natasha Pringle, Katherine Lady Berkley's School, and Richard Hewlett, director of Centre Adults and Community Learning.

The Echo, Citizen, and Stroud Life awards were hosted by the Fabulous Baker Brothers, Henry and Tom Herbert, who had guests in fits of laughter with their good-natured banter and light-hearted jokes.

The event saw the very best of producers and food artisans celebrated in style. Cotswold Traiteur Ltd took home two awards on the night as the Best Food Producer and the Diamond Jubilee Award Food Business of the Year.

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Francis Green, the managing director of the Cam-based company which produced "dish of the day" ready meals, said: "It has been a big shock because we were up against some really established businesses and we are a new business. What we are doing is innovative but I was shocked to win because the other people are really well established."

The Brookthorpe-based business Days Cottage took home the prize as the Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks Producer for their apple juice.

Founder Dave Kaspar said: "It was a lovely surprise to win, particularly in a season that has been hard for apples."

The Fleece at Cirencester won the award for Best Pub Food and Rebecca Smith, the pub's general manager, said it was great to have all of their hard work recognised.

She said: "It is fantastic to win the award. We are all very pleased. It is nice to have the recognition for all the work – all the blood, sweat and tears."