In a change to the usual protocol, this year the finalists of the annual FMT Food Industry Awards have been announced in advance of the prestigious 5-star ceremony, that will take place during a black-tie dinner in London at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, on the evening of 6th June.
Lead organiser for the event, Sharon Yandell confirmed: “We do this and announce finalists for a number of other events that we organise and it always helps to build the anticipation and excitement that Award ceremonies generates. Of course it is important to emphasise that no finalists will be pre-informed if they have won any particular category, and these winners results remain firmly under wraps and confidential until the ceremony itself on 6th June.
“To make it as a finalist for these awards, in a field where there is such stiff competition is a big achievement and when the announcements of the eventual winners is made public on the night the reaction is always brilliant.”
The finalists for 2023 are as follows:
Best Trade Organisation
Finalists:
British Frozen Food Federation
NFU
AHDB
AIMS
Food & Drink Federation
Provision Trade Federation
Best Ingredients Supplier
Finalists:
Kerry Taste & Nutrition
Foodmaker Ltd
Bosse Interspice
Kalsec Europe
Middleton Foods
Prosur
Best Machinery / Equipment Supplier
Finalists:
Reiser UK
Interfood Technology
GEA Group
Handtmann Ltd
Baader
Marel
Best Training Initiative
Finalists:
Workforce Training & Development – Apprenticeships
FDQ – L3 Diploma in Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance
ABP Talent Academy / Graduate Scheme
Harper Adams University – Food Business Management
Cranswick PLC – General Graduate Programme
Pilgrim’s UK – Food Masters Graduate Programme
Best Free From Product
Finalists:
Glorious!Sweet Potato Coconut Daal Soup – Billington Foods
Love Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream – Suncream Ice Cream
Gluten Free Herby Sausage – Owen Taylor & Sons Ltd
Chef’s Larder New York Cheesecake – Booker
Co-op Irresistible Caramelised Onion Sausage – Pilgrim’s UK
Porky Lights Low Fat Italian Sausage – Porky Whites Ltd
Best New Product Development
Finalists:
Waitrose No1 Pork Ribeye – Pilgrim’s UK
Marks and Spencer Park Lane Rump of Beef Wrapped in Sirloin – Linden Foods
ASDA Extra Special Gourmet Beef Burgers – ABP
Tesco Ultimate Scotch Eggs – Pilgrim’s UK
Marks and Spencer Mini Steak Sandwiches – Scotbeef
ASDA Slow Cooked Beef Tartlets with Truffle Mac N Cheese – Scotbeef
Best Frozen Product
Finalists:
Marks and Spencer British Pork Saltimbocca Joint – Linden Foods
Gelato Gold Dreaming of Unicorns – Suncream Ice Cream
Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2 Melting Middle Festive Kievs – ABP Eatwell
Iceland Luxury The Perfect Lamb Joint – Dunbia
Gelato Lusso Lemon & Lime Ice Cream – Suncream Ice Cream
Aldi Specially Selected Scottish Ice Cream Double Cream Vanilla
Best Bakery Product
Finalists:
Ocado Malt & Seeded Sourdough Bread – Bread Limited
Aldi Premium Bloomer (White Toasting Loaf with Sourdough)
Huntsman Pie – Owen Taylor & Sons Ltd
Marks and Spencer British Beef Fillet Wellington – Linden Foods
The Love Range 6 Individually Crafted Chicken, Ham and Leek Pies – Billington Foods
Steak and Stilton 6” Pie – Owen Taylor & Sons Ltd
Best Ready To Eat Product
Finalists:
Binghams Potted Beef – Binghams Foods Ltd
Tesco The Ultimate Scotch Eggs – Pilgrim’s UK
Chef’s Larder Tuxford & Tebbutt Blue Stilton – Booker
Waitrose No.1 Free Range Roasted Ham with Rosemary & Thyme – Pilgrim’s UK
Delamere Dairy Goat’s Butter – Delamere Dairy
Huntsman Pie – Owen Taylor & Sons Ltd
Best Seafood Product
Finalists:
Chef’s Larder Premium 10 Scottish Farmed Salmon Fillets – Booker
Ocado 2 Organic Salmon Fillets Skin On – Hilton Seafood UK
Aldi Specially Selected Argentinian Prawns
Ocado Cooked Cold Water Prawns – Blue Earth Foods
Chef’s Larder Premium Breaded Wholetail Scampi – Booker
Best Red Meat Product
Finalists:
Waitrose No 1 Dry Aged British T-Bone Steak – Dovecote Park
Isle of Man Meat Company – Short Leg of Native Manx Loaghtan
Blackgate Signature French Trimmed Pork Rack – Booker
Marks and Spencer British Beef Fillet Wellington – Linden Foods
Iceland Luxury The Perfect Lamb Leg Joint – Dunbia
Fairfax Meadow 2 Cornish Salt Aged Rib Steaks
Best Poultry Product
Finalists:
Aldi Specially Selected Kiev
Tesco Chicken Satay Bites – Pilgrim’s UK
Duck Three Bird Roast – Adlington Ltd
The House of Bruar Chicken En Croute Garlic
Porky Whites Low Fat Lemon Chicken Sausage – Porky Whites
Best Dairy Product
Finalists:
Chef’s Larder Tuxford & Tebbutt Blue Stilton – Booker
Ocado Greek Style Yoghurt 500g – Yeo Valley
Chef’s Larder Crunch Extra Mature Cheddar – Booker
Aldi UK Specially Selected Exquisite 50 Month Reserve Cheddar
Chef’s Larder Ready To Serve Devon Custard – Booker
Gelato Lusso Lemon & Lime Ice Cream – Suncream Ice Cream
Food Retailer of the Year
Finalists:
Sainsbury’s
Marks & Spencer
Waitrose
Co-op
Tesco
Lidl
ASDA
Aldi
Food Manufacturer of the Year
Finalists:
Arla Foods
Moy Park
Finnebrogue Artisan
Boparan Holdings (2SFG)
Greencore
Linden Foods
Food Industry Champion Award
This award will be presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the UK or Irish food industry.
Commenting on the announcement, Graham Yandell the publisher of Food Management Today added: “We have some great finalists and some terrific products in the mix, and we are also thrilled to have secured comedian and magician Pete Firman to host our event on the evening of 6th June. He is really funny and an amazing magician. I know we are set for an outstanding evening and our guests, including the recently announced finalists, can look forward to a unique occasion.”
To get a flavour of the event watch this short film from last year’s Awards.
Tickets and tables are now available click here for more information or to book your place.
Email Michelle Ingerfield on michelle.i@yandellmedia.com for details of any remaining commercial opportunities and partnerships.
The 2023 FMT Food Industry Awards Partners:
Event date and venue availability is subject to any ongoing government rulings on public assembly and therefore the organisers reserve the right to make appropriate changes if required affecting the date
