Excellence in Food and Drink Awards 2010 – the winners

Now in its eighth year, the Caterer and Hotelkeeper Excellence in Food and Drink Awards unveils the cream of this year's crop of food and drink products for the catering and hospitality market.

Food and drink suppliers to the food service sector congregated at London's Dorchester hotel on 26 November to celebrate the 18 category winners of our annual Excellence in Food and Drink Awards - one of which also received the coveted Gold Award as the overall star performer of the year.

As well as supplying a spectrum of commercial kitchens with high-quality and innovative products to help them expand their menus profitably in terms of cost and time, suppliers are increasingly having to meet growing consumer demand for provenance, authenticity and restricted diets. This is reflected in a new award this year for food intolerance products.

Serial winners included Brakes - which waltzed home with five awards - and Brand Innovations, which scooped two wins for its authentic Indian-made snacks.

Below, we outline the winners of each category and the Gold winner, and namecheck all the products that made the shortlists for each award.

http://www.brand-innovations.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">shiva.hobson@rbi.co.uk](mailto:shiva.hobson@rbi.co.uk)
accompaniments & Ingredients

GOLD AWARD WINNER
HELLMANN'S SESAME SOY VINAIGRETTE
[UNILEVER FOODSOLUTIONS](http://www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.uk)

This premium, two-phase vinaigrette - which has already been approved by the Craft Guild of Chefs - ticked all the boxes for our panel of judges who thought it was "a nice product" that was "nicely packaged" with "good appearance, taste and consistency". As one judge put it: "It shouts texture in its taste, texture, appearance and aroma."

Made from roasted sesame seeds - for an intense, nutty flavour - sesame oil and soya sauce, the vinaigrette is free from artificial preservatives, flavourings and colourings and delivers natural separation, good stability after shaking and a long shelf life.

Its taste tickled the palates of our judges, who praised the "completely balanced flavours" and the "nice roasted sesame seed flavour" which was so authentic, "it doesn't taste manufactured".
0800 783 3728

Shortlisted
Farmhouse Mayonnaise Hillfarm Oils
01986 798660
Yutaka Japanese Style Panko Breadcrumbs Tazaki Foods
020 8344 3008
Chef's Larder Pesto Alla Genovese (M097297) Booker
01933 371371

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

BAS ARMAGNAC
[ARMAGNAC VEUVE GOUDOULIN](http://www.armagnac-gers.com)

The BAS Armagnac produced in Gers, Gascony, from the baco grape has been aged in oak barrels for more than 30 years. The result, according to our panel, is a "very smooth" tipple with a "lovely colour" and a "pure aroma" that "looks luxurious".
00 33 5 6206 3502

BAKERY

LA BOULANGERIE VICTORIA SPONGE TULIP MUFFIN
[BRAKES](http://www.brake.co.uk)

A modern update of an old classic, Brakes' plain sponge muffin filled with raspberry jam and vanilla-flavour icing was heaped with praise by our panel, who found it an "innovative" product in which "no element of it lets it down". The judges liked its appearance: "looks lovely" and "stands out"; its taste: "delicious" with a "great texture"; and viewed the caster sugar topping as "a good touch".
01233 206111

Shortlisted
La Boulangerie Opera Brakes
01233 206111
Pave Rustique Multicereale Brakes
01233 206111

CONFECTIONERY

CHOCOLATE LOLLY
[PAUL WAYNE GREGORY](http://www.paulwaynegregory.com)

"This isn't eating chocolate, this is an experience" and "I love it!" were the reactions of our panel to this dark chocolate lolly, validating the Paul Wayne Gregory concept of "indulgence is everything". The lolly with its soft salted caramel centre with popping candy was judged to be an "amazing" and "excellent" product.
020 8664 8966

DESSERTS & PUDDINGS

CHERRY BAKEWELL SPONGE
[CREATIVE FOODS](http://www.creative-foods.co.uk)

This almond sponge pudding topped with French morello cherries and raspberry jam is billed as "comfort food at its best" and our judges agreed that "it does what it says". They liked the flavour, the texture and the topping.
01352 897644

Shortlisted
Chocolate Mint Melt Creative Foods
01352 897644
Blackcurrant & Apple Bavarois Brakes
01233 206111

FAIRTRADE, ORGANIC & ETHICAL PRODUCTS

F33944 HOT SMOKED MACKEREL FILLET WITH PIRI PIRI
[BRAKES](http://www.brake.co.uk)

Brakes' MSC mackerel fillet, which is coated with piri piri spices and hot smoked "achieves its objectives" according to our panel, which predicted not only that "it will sell" but that it "would fly off of the shelf". The judges found it to be a "nice product" with a "good kick".
01233 206111

Shortlisted
F33920 MSC Hot Smoked Sweet Cure Mackerel Fillets Brakes
01233 206111

FOOD INTOLERANCE PRODUCTS

ORGANIC TOMATO & BASIL SOUP
[TIDEFORD ORGANIC FOODS](http://www.tidefordorganics.com)

Our panel praised the texture, consistency and balance of this organic, gluten-free, low-salt vegetarian soup. "The taste comes through well" concluded one judge, while another found this traditional blend of flavours to be "well seasoned".
01803 84055

FOOD ON THE GO

V*GO PORRIDGE
[KERRY FOODSERVICE](http://www.kerry-foodservice.co.uk)

Our judges enjoyed this quick-to-serve, front-of-house brand for the on-the-go breakfast market, and thought it was a "great idea" with "great packaging" and a "nice consistency". Although it is available in two flavours, one of the judges reckoned "it just needs a sachet of honey".
01784 430777

Shortlisted
Chef's Larder Meatball and Salsa Filler (M085561) Booker
01933 371371
Extra Large, Fully Baked Jacket Potatoes Farmhouse Potato Bakers
01262 605650

HOT BEVERAGES

MARRAKESH MINT TEA POUCH
[MIGHTY LEAF TEA COMPANY](http://www.mightyleafteas.co.uk)

This blend of Chinese Gunpowder green tea and Moroccan peppermint packed into a biodegradable, translucent silken tea pouch impressed our panel with its freshness, its "good appearance" and its "pure" and "outstanding aroma". "Impressive - it is close to fresh mint" enthused one of our judges.
01377 217793

Shortlisted
Brakes Premiere Gold 1 Cup Teabags - A89237 Brakes
01233 206111
Grand Cru - "Hand-crafted, credible coffee" United Coffee
01908 275520

ICE-CREAMS

DOUBLE CREAM & MERINGUE
[MOVENPICK](http://www.movenpick-icecream.com)

"Gorgeous", "outstanding" and "good quality" were the reactions this rich combination of Swiss double cream from Gruyère with caramel coulis and crunchy meringue pieces elicited from our panel.
01483 205500

Shortlisted
Almond & Vanilla Movenpick
01483 205500
Chilly Billy Orange Ice Lolly Bensons Totally Fruity
01451 844134

INNOVATION AWARD

STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
[BRAKES](http://www.brake.co.uk)

Brakes' "innovative" and "healthy/vegetarian option" scored highly for its "home-made appearance", "good flavour" and "good depth of taste". It comprises a butternut squash half filled with cannellini beans, mozzarella cheese, peppers and tomatoes and topped with pumpkin and sunflower seed crumb.
01233 206111

Shortlisted
Patisse Orange & Poppyseed Rosette Bakehouse
01276 850500
Schwartz for Chef Recipe Mix - Mediterranean Herb Variety McCormick (UK)
0808 100 0363
Hellmann's Sesame Soy Vinaigrette Unilever Foodsolutions
0800 783 3728

KIDS MAIN MEALS

KIDS' MACARONI CHEESE
[MILLIFOODS](http://www.millifoods.co.uk)

This traditional favourite made from Italian pasta and extra mature English cheddar with low salt levels and no additives or colour was a hit with our kids' panel. Cheese appeal seems to have been the deciding factor, as these comments from our young judges demonstrate - "It is so cheesy and the pasta is Good. Fantastic"; "The sauce is nice, it is very gooey"; and "Like the cheesy sauce - lovely!"
01233 624886

KIDS SNACKS

ME, MYSELF AND MY… CHEESE AND CRACKERS
[BEL UK](http://www.bel-uk.co.uk)

These grab-and-go snack packs that pair the popular Laughing Cow Light spreadable cheese with two Jacobs crackers won approval from both cracker fans ("I like the crackers" and "It is crunchy") and dairy lovers ("The cheese is nice because it has a nice cheese flavour"). One of our child judges found a different angle - "I would like it as part of school dinners. Like the little knife", while one little dissident thought the cheese was "nice" but the "crackers taste like biscuits".
01622 774800

KIDS DRINKS

THE SMOOTHIE STRAWBERRY & BANANA A89158
[BRAKES](http://www.brake.co.uk)

The ability to taste the fruit and flavours in this 100% pure fruit ambient blend smoothie excited our panel of children - but which flavour depends on who you talk to. "Strong taste of banana, nice flavours, nice cold," was the verdict of one of our mini critics, while another proffered the view that you "can taste the strawberries. Thick, but not too thick."
01233 206111

MAIN COURSES AND CENTRE OF PLATE

LAMB CHETTINAD
[CREATIVE FOODS](http://www.creative-foods.co.uk)

This spicy and aromatic dish from South India of lamb pieces in a blend of tomato and spices finished with curry leaves and chopped chilli ticked all the boxes with our judges, who found it "tasty", "spicy", and of "good quality" with a "good amount of flavour" that "has a kick". They were also impressed by its "authentic" appearance, "great texture" and "commendable convenience".
01352 897644

Shortlisted
King Prawn Kelantan Creative Foods
01352 897644
Lasagne Millifoods
01233 624886

MEAT, GAME, POULTRY & FISH

BRITISH STUFFED BELLY OF PORK C15754
[BRAKES](http://www.brake.co.uk)

"Pleasantly surprised" was the most lukewarm reaction to Brakes' British Red Tractor Farm Assured rolled and tied pork belly with a pork, sage and onion stuffing. Other judges found it a "pretty good" or even "lovely" product that was "tender" and "delivers what it says".
01233 206111

Shortlisted
Ben Burger Premium Fresh Steak Burger Ben Burgers
01474 560404
Birchstead British 21 Day Aged Carvery Forerib of Beef - C70879 Brakes
01233 206111

STARTERS, SIDE ORDERS AND BUFFET PRODUCTS

DELHIBITES 50x20G COCKTAIL INDIAN VEGETABLE SAMOSAS
[BRAND INNOVATIONS](http://www.brand-innovations.com)

"I'd be happy with it" was one judge'response to these Indian-made samosas, while others on our panel endorsed it as a "nice product" with a "good taste". The samosas are made from 73% locally-sourced fresh vegetables combined with fresh coriander, crushed green chili and garam masala powder which are hand-wrapped in crispy, traditional pastry triangles.
01590 623737

Shortlisted
Lamb Weston Sweet Potato Fries Lamb Weston
0800 963962
DelhiBITES 50 x 30g Cocktail Indian Onion Bhajis Brand Innovations
01590 623737
DelhiBITES Tandoori Indian Garlic & Coriander Naan Brand Innovations
01590 623737

VEGETARIAN

DELHIBITES 25X 50G INDIAN ONION BHAJI
[BRAND INNOVATIONS

The bhajis, handmade in India to a traditional recipe, were described as "a good product at a good price" by our judges, with one claiming "I cannot fault it" and another declaring he would "recommend it to clients". Made from fresh red onions, locally-sourced green chilli, Bengal gram flour and Garam Masala spice powder, the bhajis were seen as "very authentic" with a "home-made appearance".
01590 623737

Shortlisted
Pesto and Mozzarella Burger The Authentic Food Company
0161-495 4116
DelhiBITES 100 x 20g Cocktail Selection Pack Brand Innovations
01590 623737
Goats Cheese Wellington Slice Brakes
01233 206111

THE JUDGES

Nick Bates, R&D chef, Angelo Po

Anthony Boyd, head chef, the Glasshouse

Charles Boyd, director, the Northumberland

Gregg Brown, director of culinary development, Marriott Hotels

Annie Bullock, customer relations, Parkers Menu

Adam Byatt, head chef director, Trinity restaurant

Darren Byford, buying manager, Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation

Simon Clarke, account director, Lyons Seafoods

Roger Denton, head of catering services, London Borough of Enfield

Mark Errington, senior sous chef, House of Commons

Peter Gordon, chef/co-owner, the Providores restaurant

Jane Hildred, food service consultant, Foodskillsdirect

Mark Hill, executive chef, House of Commons

Ann Hood, proprietor, the Smart School of Cookery

Mike Jeffery, menu development manager, Greene King

Gary Jones, executive head chef, Le Manoir Quat'Saisons

Roger Kellow, government account manager, Hobart UK

Robert Kirby, chef director, Lexington

Darius Knetsch, chef, the All England Lawn Tennis Club

Carl Lindsay, operations director, Hollywood Media Services

Tammy Mariaux, proprietor, Tummies

Donald Marshall, food development manager, Elior

Terry McDowell, menu implementation manager, TGI Fridays

Nick Moore, My Services

David Mulcahy, craft and food development director, Sodexo UK & Ireland

James Nicholson, F&B director, Legoland Windsor

Jane Parker, managing director, Parkers Menu

Duncan Parsonage, development chef, Fresh Direct

Dino Portelli, product category manager, Cannons House

Jason Radbourn, menu development manager, Punch Pub Company

Jonathan Sharp, Travelodge

Alan Sheppard, director, the Foodworks Partnership

Simon Smith, director of contracts management EMEA, Intercontinental Hotels Group

Nick Vadis, executive chef, Compass Group

Fiona Winter, product development manager, Nando's

Simon Young, executive head chef, Jumierah Carlton Tower

Ann Marshall, network partner, the Foodworks Partnership

Lawrence Kay, director, the Foodworks Partnership