Picking final food selection tough task for panel
Judges taste-test more than 30 entries for north-east innovation showdown
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PRE-JUDGING for the retail and foodservice categories of the 2009 Grampian Food Forum Innovation Awards took place yesterday.
A panel comprising Graham Marshall-Jones, development chef for wholesaler 3663 First for Foodservice, Sarah Bonnington, the food and cook-shop buyer for Dobbies Garden Centres and Press and Journal features editor Sonja Cox sampled more than 30 entries.
Food forum co-ordinator Elizabeth Mathie said: “It is always a pity when some entries do not make it to the final and today the judges felt they had a particularly hard job to do, saying there is a very fine line between what goes through and what does not quite make it.” Mr Marshall-Jones said: “It has been great to see so many small, local companies being innovative and producing high-quality products. So much passion has come shining through from some very hard-working individuals.”
Ms Bonnington said she was impressed by a number of suppliers who “may be of interest” to Dobbies, adding: “I’m looking forward to the final in two weeks.”
Finalists in the retail and foodservice categories include Aunty Betty’s, Berry Scrumptious, Deans of Huntly, Gordon and Macphail, Loaf Face Cookery Co-operative, Mackie’s of Scotland, Maclean’s Highland Bakery, Nor-Sea Foods, Ola Oils, Sweet Lilyadams and The Store.
Winners will be announced by 3663 managing director Alex Fisher during a presentation dinner in the Marcliffe Hotel, on Wednesday, March 18. For more details or tickets visit the www.grampianfood forum.org.uk website.
Grocery industry magazine fresh food editor Michael Barker will join Mr Fisher and Ms Bonnington on the judging panel for the final.
