The finalists of this year’s Food Manufacture Excellence Awards — dubbed the "Oscars of the food and beverage industry" — have been revealed. The crème de la crème of the food industry have been selected across sixteen different categories, spanning from sustainability awards, to recognition for apprenticeship and training schemes, to accolades for the best plant-based businesses.
Geoff Eaton, the chairman of the expert panel of judges, commented: "This year we had a good number of entries for all categories in the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards. This is heartening given the demanding nature of the current economic environment.
The stand-out features of this year’s entries were the impressive commitment to sustainability; the creative investment in training and wide support for apprenticeships; and the scale of investment in manufacturing, efficiency and NPD."
The award ceremony, which is supported by head sponsor Menzies, will be held at the London Hilton Bankside on February 9th 2023, with tickets available to purchase here. Other sponsors of the event include the software company Aptean, the supply chain tech company Nvolve and the IT service Columbus.
Chris Lowe, publisher at Food Manufacture, said: "In a year of so many challenges, it is great to see so many positive stories and innovative businesses entering in every category. This year we saw a host of entries and it was the hard work of the judges to bring together this finalist list which recognises everyone from food manufacturers to industry initiatives to people. These awards celebrate the latest innovations and greatest achievements within the industry and this year we’re planning our biggest celebration yet."
The finalists are as follows:
Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year
Fudge Kitchen
Simply Doughnuts
Sleaford Quality Foods
Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year
Baker & Baker
Ginger Bakers
Regal Bakery
Chilled, Fresh & Dairy Manufacturing Company of the Year
Charlie Bigham’s Quarry Kitchen
Crust & Crumb Bakery
Raynor Foods
South Caernarfon Creameries
Free-From Manufacturing Company of the Year
Ginger Bakers
Just Love Food Company
Moo Free
Frozen Manufacturing Company of the Year
Birds Eye
The Ice Co
Ingredients Manufacturing Company of the Year
Carr’s Flour Mills
I.T.S
Sleaford Quality Foods
Synergy Flavours
Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing Company of the Year
ABP
Dunbia
Westaway Sausages
Pet Food Manufacturing Company of the Year
Butternut Box
WHM Pet Group
Plant-Based Manufacturing Company of the Year
Finnebrogue Artisan
Moo Free
Industry Initiatives
Export Award
Kent Crisps
Princes
Simply Doughnuts
Partnership Award
AFOS and Seafish
Foods Connected and Hilton Food Group
Klüber Lubrication and Tunnocks
Raynor Foods
Sustainability Award
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Freshpak Chilled Foods
Moy Park
Nestlé UK and Ireland
Pilgrim’s UK
Princes
Training Award
Arla Foods
Bakkavor
Charlie Bigham’s
Moy Park
Princes
People Awards
Apprentice of the Year
Daisy Abson, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Caitlin Bolton, Prima Cheese
Ellie Edmonds, ABP
Liam Harker, Hovis
Future Talent Award
Atif Alam, Moy Park
George Fenn, Hovis
Patrick Jackson, Raynor Foods
Daisy Thompson, Nestlé UK and Ireland
Lois Williams, South Caernarfon Creameries
Site Team of the Year
AM Fresh Group
Dunbia
Hovis
Pilgrim’s UK – Corsham
The Ice Co