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Passion for food gives winners just desserts

LAURA DEVLIN

Top Norfolk chef Galton Blackiston and host Chris Bailey exchange a joke at the EDP Norfolk Food Awards 2007, at the Ramada Hotel, Norwich.

The county's culinary delights and very best in hospitality were celebrated at the EDP Norfolk Food Awards 2007.

Bakers, greengrocers, chefs and butchers showed off their individual talents and real passion for food that has made Norfolk one of the best areas in the country for fresh seasonal produce.

And tea rooms, restaurants, pubs and hotels showed that the county is the cream of the crop when it comes to good quality hospitality, too.

Whether growing it, making it, selling or serving, those involved in great food in Norfolk were honoured at the annual extravaganza of all things gastronomic.

Iconic Norfolk chef David Adlard, who is due to semi-retire from his eponymous restaurant in Norwich, was the toast of the evening when he was given a special and surprise award in recognition of services to the Norfolk food and hospitality industry.

Diners enjoy some of the best food Norfolk has to offer, prior to the EDP Food Awards 2007 ceremony.

Presenting the award, EDP deputy editor Peter Waters said: “He opened his restaurant 24 years ago, offering unrivalled dishes and championing the produce of local growers and suppliers, the very reason we're here tonight.

“He was the first. He blazed the trail for everyone else. He was the brave man who first said that it could work in Norfolk.”

The seventh EDP Norfolk Food Awards spawned more nominations than ever before with magazine readers sending in more than 2,000 entries for the 14 different categories, all of which were hotly contested.

Among the winners were the Tudor Bakehouse in Diss - described by the judges as “a delight” - and the Golden Triangle Farmers' Market in Norwich, which only began in February.

Refurbishing was obviously a good move for the owners of the Wiveton Bell, which reopened in Easter and last night scooped Best Food Pub. Judges said it “rapidly established a reputation for good pub food at affordable prices”.

Additive-free jams, marmalades, pickles and chutneys are the Essence of Best Retail Product, while Bawburgh School and Nursery was praised for growing its own greens, opening its kitchens to pensioners and cooking healthy meals.

V's in Reepham walked away with Coffee Shop/Tea Room of the Year, and Walshingham Farm Shops Initiative snapped up two gongs, for Food Retailer of the Year and the Best of Norfolk Award.

A pleasant, friendly service and knowing exactly where his produce comes from made Mel Taylor of G Taylor and Son on Norwich Market the Greengrocer of the Year.

Mike Thurlow of Letheringsett Watermill, which produces flour from locally-grown wheat, was honoured for his outstanding achievements since he transformed the mill from ruins 20 years ago.

EDP Norfolk magazine editor Carolyn Bowden said: “This evening gives us the chance to thank all of the winners and finalists for their dedication and professionalism which ensure that Norfolk's food and drink scene continues to evolve for the future.

“In an age where reducing food miles and supporting local businesses matter more than ever before, we are lucky to have a wealth of freshly grown produce on our doorstep, a host of fabulous farmers' markets, creative chefs, responsible retailers and enterprising publicans and restaurateurs.

The awards were presented by Chris Bailey, an organiser of many major events around the county including the charity balls and the evening entertainment at the Royal Norfolk Show.

ROLL OF HONOUR

BAKER OF THE YEAR The Tudor Bakehouse 15A Market Hill, Diss FINALISTS: Christine’s Country Bakery, 45 High Street, Watton Grooms Bakery, Market Place, Burnham Market Sponsored by Marriage’s the Master Miller’s

BEST FARMER'S MARKET Golden Triangle Farmers’ Market The Green Grocers, Earlham Road, Norwich FINALISTS: Beccles Farmers’ Market, Valley Farm, Sotterley, Beccles Creake Abbey Farmers’ Market, Creake Abbey Studios, North Creake Sponsored by EDP24

BEST RETAIL PRODUCT Essence Foods PO Box 152, Dereham, Norfolk FINALISTS: Tavern Tasty Meats, Swafield Store, The Farm Store, The Street, Swafield, North Walsham Bhaji Man, 24 Scotgate Close, Great Hockham, Thetford Sponsored by Tastes of Anglia and Bugdens

BEST OF NORFOLK AWARD Walsingham Farms Shop Partnership Guild Street, Walsingham FINALISTS: The Green Grocers, Earlham Road, Norwich Horstead Farming Group, North Walsham Road, Beeston St Andrew Sponsored by Salle Organics

BEST SCHOOL FOOD INITIATIVE Bawburgh School & Nursery Hockering Lane, Bawburgh FINALISTS: Fakenham High School and College, Field Lane, Fakenham Flegg High School, Somerton Road, Martham Sponsored by Waitrose

BUTCHER OF THE YEAR M & M Rutland 12, Briston Road, Melton Constable FINALISTS: J & D Papworth Farms, 16 Millers Walk, Fakenham G F White Traditional Family Butcher, 16 Red Lion Street, Aylsham Sponsored by Easton College

CHEF OF THE FUTURE Mark Bowers Reeds of Tombland, Norwich FINALISTS: Sam Bagge, Tatlers, 21 Tombland, Norwich Ben Keeley, The Rose and Crown, Snettisham Sponsored by Reed's

COFFEE SHOP/TEA ROOM OFTHE YEAR V’s – a slice of heaven Townsend Corner, Reepham FINALISTS: The Old Gatehouse Tea Room, Gunthorpe The Owl Tea Rooms, Church Street, Holt Sponsored by Anglia Culinary Supplies

FOOD RETAILER OF THE YEAR Walsingham Farms Shop Partnership Guild Street, Walsingham FINALISTS: The North Norfolk Fish Company, Stable Yard, High Street, Holt Waitrose Swaffham, Castleacre Road, Swaffham Sponsored by the Royal Norfolk Show

GREENGROCER OFTHE YEAR G Taylor & Son Stall 90/105 Market Place, Gentleman’s Walk Norwich FINALISTS: S & M Brett, 12 Norwich Road, Aylsham Dawn Fresh, 47 Station Road, Sheringham Sponsored by D&F McCarthy

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Mike Thurlow, Letheringsett Watermill Riverside Road, Letheringsett FINALISTS: Vanessa Scott, Strattons Hotel, Ash Close, Swaffham Margaret Snaith, Titchwell Manor Hotel, Titchwell Sponsored by Animal Inns

PLOUGH TO PLATE CHAMPION Bluebell Woods Wild Venison Rose Cottage, Hempnall Road, Woodton FINALISTS: Horstead Farming Group, North Walsham Road, Beeston St Andrew Relish Restaurant and Bar, Old Street, Newton Flotman Sponsored by Natural England

BEST FOOD PUB The Wiveton Bell Blakeney Road, Wiveton, Holt FINALISTS: The King’s Head, 6 Norwich Road, Brooke, The Pigs, Norwich Road, Edgefield, Holt Sponsored by Howes Percival

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR The Hoste Arms The Green, Burnham Market FINALISTS: Brasted’s, Manor Farm, Framlingham Pigot The Wildebeest Arms, 82-86 Norwich Road, Stoke Holy Cross Sponsored by Castle Catering

>> Click here to view last year's winners