Judging is now complete for the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards 2023. Here we meet some of the experts who had the difficult job of choosing the finalists and winners.
We are truly blessed in Norfolk when it comes to food and drink. That’s why it’s always a hard job for the judges of the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards to narrow down the entries to just three finalists, and crown one of them as the winner in each category.
The finalists for each category will be revealed in the paper on Friday, August 18 and the winners will be announced at the 2023 Norfolk Food Awards event at Yalm in the Royal Arcade, Norwich, on Monday, September 18.
Each category has two judges, a judge from the category sponsor, and an industry expert. These expert judges give their time because they’re passionate about our county’s food and drink industry, and we couldn’t do it without them.
Here, some of our judges tell us why they want to be part of the 2023 Norfolk Food and Drink Awards:
BEST COFFEE SHOP/CAFE
Sponsored by Castlemeadow Care
Expert judge: Zena Leech-Calton, chef, cookery tutor and blogger at Love Norwich Food (@love_norwich_food)
“It’s a real honour to be chosen as a judge for the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards. They are so well organised and the professional side of the judging means they are an award worth entering.
“I’ve been in catering for yonks. I originally studied catering at City College Norwich and worked for a decade as a chef in London, also studying patisserie at Westminster.
“I moved back to Norwich to become a cookery tutor for adult learning. I also ran a cookery school from home, giving it up last year to teach community projects. I love writing and have been food blogging for more than 10 years.”
FIELD TO FORK
Sponsored by Hotel School at City College Norwich
Expert judge: Colin Kiddell, founder of CS Sales Management Ltd
“I have worked in the food and drink industry for more than 40 years. Before setting up CS Sales Management Ltd, I worked for Colman’s of Norwich in their wine division, Dairy Crest and Kettle Foods.
“Since setting up CS Sales Management Ltd I have worked with several local food and drink companies, helping them to develop their business locally and on a national basis.
“I am proud to be supporting the Norfolk Food and Drink awards and judging for 2023 as it will help highlight the great range of food and drink companies we have in Norfolk.”
BEST NEWCOMER
Sponsored by Bread Source
Expert judge: George Colley, director of Brick Pizza, Yard Pasta and The Weaver’s Arms, Muspole Street, in Norwich
“I launched Brick restaurant in 2015 and since then we’ve expanded into the frozen pizza market. Thereafter we opened Yard Pasta on Pottergate and are currently renovating the former Woolpack Yard on Muspole Street.
“I’m honoured to have been asked to be a judge for the best newcomer – it’s great to see so many budding entrepreneurs.”
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Gunton Arms
Expert judge: Robert Spillings, director of operations at Bread Hospitality
“As a ‘son of Norfolk’ I am immensely proud of the county and in particular the diverse food and drink sector within it.
“This event will celebrate some of the talented chefs we have. We are a county that has such diverse ingredients and this is replicated in the food that is being cooked in pubs, restaurants, cafés and hotels.”
FRONT OF HOUSE EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Brasted’s
Expert judge: Charley O’Toole, people director at Chestnut
“Being asked to be part of the judging panel of these amazing places has been an absolute treat! As a newbie to the region, I am constantly blown away by what Norfolk has to offer.
“I have spent my career working only in hospitality and couldn’t think of a better place – I love everything about hospitality. It truly brings people together for every occasion and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love going out?
“The opportunity to celebrate everything that Norfolk has to offer is incredible.”
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Sponsored by Alliance East Anglia
Expert judge: Philip Turner, CEO of Chestnut
“Chestnut is a collection of pubs with rooms in the east of England. Our locality has a rich history within the agricultural sector and provenance is important to us.
“From Cromer crab and Brancaster mussels to Norfolk malt barley, we are proud to support local food and drink producers.
“Our menus are inspired by our region, so when I was asked to support the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards, it made sense.”
This is a non-entry category and was judged by a panel, including the category sponsor judge and Zena Leech-Calton.
FOOD AND DRINK RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Expert judge: Alex Larter, Food Innovation Cluster manager, University of East Anglia
“I am the Food Innovation Cluster manager for the University of East Anglia, bringing together food and drink SMEs and academics to develop growth and innovation.
“I was born and raised in south-western France – foodie country – and food has always been a big part of my life. Norfolk for me is the UK’s answer to that foodie heaven – it’s right up there!
“I am passionate about making people realise this, outside of Norfolk.”
Expert judge: Alan Sabol, owner of St Giles Pantry in Norwich
“After having worked in the leisure industry for more than 25 years, I curated several successful venues in the food service industry, both in the UK and overseas.
“My ethos is to promote the local food and drink within a 40-mile radius of the shop from the best parts of Norfolk and Suffolk.
“Being selected to judge for the Norfolk Food and Drinks Awards is a huge honour.”
BEST NORFOLK PRODUCER
Sponsored by Flour & Bean
Expert judge: Celia Holt, founder of ChilFood Solutions
“I Live in East Anglia and have worked in food and drink for 40 years. It gives me great pleasure to see the vast array of food and drink on offer in Norfolk and to support the businesses involved in the supply chain from farm to fork.”
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Veni Project
Expert judge: Alex Firman, chef patron of Garden Kitchen Café and Outside Catering
“I’ve been a chef for well over 30 years now, and have run my own business for about half of that time.
“I have such a huge respect for everyone involved in the hospitality industry; they strive so hard to give a special moment to lift people out of their day to day.
“We have a wealth of great restaurants in Norfolk. It’s great that Norfolk magazine and the EDP takes time to recognise all of the hard work that goes into creating a great dining experience.”
Alex will be joined by expert judge Nick Claxton-Webb, head of pubs and retail at Adnams.
FOOD/DRINK EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Chestnut
Expert judge: Dan Searle, operations director of Yalm and founder of the Rumsey Wells and Mysabar in Norwich
“Having worked in hospitality all my life, with a number of local pubs and bars under our belt, I am continually impressed by our local independent food and drink scene. We have some truly great offerings in the county.”
Expert judge: Angus Black, head of people at Bread Hospitality Group
“I’ve worked in the hospitality industry on and off for the past 15 years. Since graduating from City College Norwich with a diploma in hospitality, I’ve worked in some of Norfolk’s best known hotels and pubs.
“I’m excited and proud to be a part of these awards.”
The finalists for all of these categories, plus Pub/Bar of the Year, sponsored by The Gin Trap Inn, and Street Food Vendor, will be announced in the Eastern Daily Press on Friday, August 18. To find out more about the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards 2023, visit the website at norfolkfada.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here