Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to Present National Farm Retail Awards

Monday, February 13, 2023 - 08:42

hugh fearnley whittingstall Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has been announced as special guest at the Farm Retail Association annual awards in Exeter next month.

Hugh will present awards to some of the best farm retailers in the UK at the event (sponsored by specialist retailer COOK) which will take place on Tuesday 7th March as part of the FRA’s annual Stronger Together event, 2023.

The multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster is known for his uncompromising commitment to seasonal, ethically produced food and his concern for the environment.

Hugh has earned a huge following through his River Cottage TV series and books as well as his River Cottage Cookery School.

Hugh said: "I’m really looking forward to presenting the Farm Retail Awards. Farm shops and farmers markets are one of the best ways to tap into your local food network and to source ingredients that have been produced ethically and sustainably. They also bring real character into your kitchen – through offering great produce that reflects the local landscape, and by telling the story of the farmers and growers who produce it."

Businesses from all corners of the country have been shortlisted across eight categories; from the ‘Rising Star Award’ which celebrates newcomers to the industry, to the Farm Shop Butchery of the Year Award.

Other categories include: Large Farm Shop of the Year (turnover over £1.5m); Small Farm Shop of the Year (turnover under £1.5m); Farmers’ Market of the Year; Farm Café/Restaurant of the Year; PYO of the Year; Associate Member of the Year.

The awards ceremony will follow a day of behind-the-scenes retail tours at the South West’s best farm shops. The conference day (sponsored by The EPOS Bureau), taking place at Sandy Park in Exeter, will include topical workshops and expert guest speakers.

The category of Pick Your Own Farm (PYO) of the Year, was shortlisted in July as judging took place in the height of the PYO season. Sponsored by Digitickets, finalists include:

Cammas Hall Fruit Farm, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
Rectory Farm, Oxford
Manor Farm Fruits, Tamworth, Staffordshire
Kenyon Hall Farm, Warrington, Cheshire
Craigies Farm, South Queensferry, Edinburgh

AWARDS SHORTLIST:

Large Farm Shop of the Year	Sponsored by Cunninghams EPOS Group
Rumwell Farm Shop	An independent, family-run, award-winning business owned by the Mitchell family, who have a farm nearby.	Taunton, Somerset
Strawberry Fields Farm Shop	A family run, award winning farm shop which began over 30 years ago from a two acre pick-your-own strawberry patch.	Lifton, Devon
Hartley Farm	A fifth-generation farm and farm shop in the village of Winsley, near Bath, with a mission to champion local and seasonal food.	Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
Newlyns	The ultimate food destination including a butchery, the Fish Room and a dedicated Cheese Room.	Hook, Hampshire
Farmer Copleys	Farmer Copleys celebrates Yorkshire and British food production and agriculture, with on-farm experiences and Copleys Kitchen which is new for this year.	Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Small Farm Shop of the Year	Sponsored by The Cress Co.
Broom House	Broom House Farm shop is at the centre of the organic livestock farm with a focus on home reared, organically farmed, grass fed Aberdeen Angus beef and lamb and rare breed Saddleback pork.	Witton Gilbert, Durham
The Goat Shed	Nestled in the heart of Norfolk, The Goat Shed has been transformed from a shed to a Farm Shop & Kitchen offering the best of Norfolk’s artisan produce.	Norwich, Norfolk
Burwash Larder	Started 40 years ago by owner Michael Radford, the shop has evolved into a foodie hub in the heart of the community.	Barton, Cambridge
Farm Café/ Restaurant of the Year	Sponsored by Arrange Spaces
Strawberry Fields Farm Shop	Strawberry Fields Restaurant is a 200-seater family run, award winning restaurant which is passionate about producing, baking and growing their own produce from the farm.	Lifton, Devon
Darts Farm	The Farm Table, complete with The Terrace Bar and Cow & Cacao Café, is celebrates seasonal ingredients from the farm and local artisans.	Topsham, Devon
Hartley Farm	The Barn is a place to gather, rest and replenish with good food, friends and family.	Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
Farm Shop Butchery of the Year	Sponsored by Angel Refrigeration
Broom House	Broom House Farm Butchery offers a real on-farm butchery, with all beef, lamb, mutton and pork home produced on its organic farm.	Witton Gilbert, Durham
Hutchinson Hobbs	Hutchinson Hobbs Farm Shop is a family business, well known for its exceptional butchery department which make up 55% of the Farm Shop.	Stockton on Tees, Durham
Welbeck Farm Shop	Butchers offer traditionally farmed local meats including Welbeck’s own lamb, seasonal game, estate-reared venison and free-range pork.	Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Darts Farm	As well as rearing their own herd of native Ruby Red Devon cattle, Darts work with a community of trusted local families who farm in harmony with nature to the highest welfare standards.	Topsham, Devon
Rising Star of the Year	Sponsored by Field Fare
The Goat Shed	Nestled in the heart of Norfolk, The Goat Shed has been transformed from a shed to a Farm Shop & Kitchen offering the best of local artisan produce.	Norwich, Norfolk
Nolton Cross Farm Shop	Working with local Pembrokeshire butchers and suppliers, they celebrate the very best of Pembrokeshire produce, lowering the food miles on all products and showcasing the 'Gate to Plate' philosophy.	Haverfordwest. Pembrokeshire
Farmers Market of the Year
Moseley Farmers' Market	Three times winner of Best Farmers’ Market in the UK, this is the largest in the West Midlands. Moseley Farmers’ Market offers a rich and wide variety of produce and encourages new ventures.	Moseley, Birmingham
Cliftonville Farmers' Market	Cliftonville Residents Association (CRA) founded Cliftonville Farmers' Market in September 2001. It is a 100% community-run market, not-for-profit and is dedicated to promoting good quality produce at fair prices.	Margate, Kent
Great Malvern Farmers Market	Great Malvern Farmers Market is fresh and vibrant, celebrating the quality of produce from local farmers, growers and artisan producers.	Great Malvern, Worcestershire
Associate Member of the Year
Employment Law Solutions	A family run HR, Employment Law and H&S consultancy based in Cheshire advising business owners and managers across the UK. Employment Law Solutions provides all FRA Members with a free HR Helpline.	Nantwich, Cheshire
WBC	WBC is the UK’s largest wholesale trade supplier of retail display, packaging, and Bags for Life.	London
Yockenthwaite Farm Ltd	As fifth-generation sheep farmers, they know a thing or two about a hard day’s work and just what’s needed to sustain it!	Skipton, North Yorkshire

To find out more about joining the Farm Retail Association, contact FRA Manager Laura Johnson on 01423 546214 or e-mail LauraJ@farmretail.co.uk

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