The BBC Food and Farming Awards 2023: We celebrate the Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the BBC Food and Farming Awards which took place on 25th October 2023 at the ICCW in Newport.  The awards were judged and hosted by great presenters including Radio 4’s The Food Programme host, Sheila Dillon, Thomasina Miers, cook, television presenter and co-founder of the Wahaca chain of Mexican restaurants, drinks writer Jaega Wise,  food presenter Leyla Kazim and presenters Sam and Shauna from Hangfire BBQ.  We were delighted to see so many women win awards at the ceremony.

Launched in 2003 to mark the 20th anniversary of Radio 4’s The Food Programme, the BBC Food & Farming Awards were set up “to honour those who have done most to promote the cause of good food”.

Winners of of the Street Food, Takeaway and Small Eatery category 2023. Pictured in photo (left to right)-  Presenter Shauna Guinn, Sabrina Khan and Sam Evans

The best Street Food, Takeaway and Small Eatery award went to Sabrina Khan and her all female team Maasi’s, (which means auntie in Punjab). Sabrina said “Absolutely shell shocked but extremely proud of us. It’s been and continues to be a tough time, (as most food establishments will tell you) but it’s also lovely being part of the food scene in Cardiff.” she continued “Thank you to my wonderful girls who are Maasi’s. This Award means the world. We will take time to digest and reflect and I will share my plans with you”.

It was fabulous to see Becky Excell win the brand new award for Digital Creator. Becky has recently become a member of Women in the Food Industry and said “This isn’t an award just for me, it’s an award for the entire gluten free community. We are underrepresented (especially in the media) and so often misunderstood in terms of our needs – following a gluten free diet is NOT A CHOICE for the vast majority of us! Getting recognised by the BBC I really hope will bring some much needed awareness.”

Becky is a Sunday Times bestselling author of five books and has just released Gluten Free Christmas.  She has a huge online community on Instagram  of people sharing gluten free recipes.

We loved seeing our friends Chefs in Schools pick up the Derek Cooper Award for Outstanding Achievement. Chefs in Schools’ employ professional chefs to improve the quality of school meals, at the same time educating and inspiring children about the benefits of cooking food from scratch.

Co-founders Louise Nichols and  Nicole Pisani said “We were honoured to accept this award not only for our small but enthusiastic team but for all the chefs we support who are changing perceptions of what’s possible in school food”.  Watch this space for a feature on Women in The Food Industry member & great chef, Amber Francis, who has just joined their team of chefs.

Best Food and Drink Producer with BBC Cymru Wale went to speciality single estate loose leaf tea grower Peterston Tea. Lucy George picked up the award and was clearly delighted. She said “currently still in shock and wondering what happened. To have this sort of recognition for what we are doing here is way beyond what we’d ever imagined”.

Carrie Rimes of Cosyn Cymru photo by Angus D Birditt from his book A Portrait of British Cheese 

The award for Best Food Producer went to small batch producer Cosyn Cymru in North Wales who craft ewe’s milk cheese and yogurt from the foothills of Snowdonia.

The Alexandra Rose Charity won the Food Innovation Award, and Alison Burrell Head of Fundraising and Communication said “We’re bursting with excitement as we’ve won the Food Innovation Award at this year’s BBC Food & Farming Awards, honouring those who have done the most to promote the cause of good food.

We’re proud that our innovative and unique work has been recognised with such a prestigious accolade. We were up against stiff competition, making winning even more meaningful.”

“We have been delivering our Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project around the UK for almost 10 years, and last year, we launched our innovative Fruit & Veg on Prescription Project in the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Tower Hamlets. Both projects have at their heart the mission to help families afford fresh fruit and veg and provide a healthy diet for themselves and their families.”

Huge congratulations to all of the winners and finalists in the BBC Food and Farming Awards. Look out for the winner of the Countryfile Young Countryside Champion who will be announced on Countryfile on BBC One Sunday 5 November 17.15pm

You may also be interested in the following: Surplus Food Charity Plan Zheroes looking for Recipes for their New Cookbook, and  Championing Women in the Cheese Industry .