ChesterfieldCollege has been announced as the headline sponsor of the town’s first ever Food and Drink Awards.  The College is also joined by Mr Sparkles, Jumble Design, Franke , Redbrik, Nothern Tea Merchants, Banner Jones and Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce as category sponsors.

Officially launched by organisers Destination Chesterfield in July earlier this year, there are ten categories in the awards, which are designed to celebrate the wealth of eateries, pubs, bars and food producers that have established themselves in the town. As well as being headline sponsor,Chesterfield College will also host the awards ceremony at its Heartspace building later this year.

Trevor Clay, Principal of Chesterfield College, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Food and Drink awards, celebrating the amazing culinary achievements of the region. Our Catering and Hospitality department link closely with a large number of employers across the area and our students are continuing to gain opportunities in the industry, be it on either a work placement, part-time work, an Apprenticeship or full-time position. This being said, we’re proud to be hosting the awards ceremony in our Heartspace building in recognition of the superb Food and Drink businesses across Derbyshire.”

A panel of judges will ‘mystery shop’ establishments put forward by the general public and rate them against a set criteria. Entries open on the 19^thAugust for the ten categories:

•          Restaurant of the Year

•          Café of the Year

•          Gastro Pub of the Year

•          Customer Service Award

•          Chesterfield producer of the Year

•          Pub of the Year

•          Best Newcomer

•          Best out of Town

•          Young Chef of the Year

•          Chef of the Year

Dominic Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield explained: “We wanted the Food and Drink awards to be a true reflection of everything culinary the town has to offer. The ten award categories cover everything from great customer service and emerging talent to, of course, fantastic tasting food and drink. Whether it’s a business lunch or night out with friends and family, supporting the awards is an excellent way for businesses to recognise the valuable roleChesterfield’s food and drink industry plays in our personal and professional life.”

If you are interested in sponsoring an award category or entering the 2013 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, visithttp://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/  or contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Wanted – Two fabulous foodies to join the judging panel of Chesterfield’s inaugural Food and Drink Awards.

If food and Chesterfield are your passion, then this could be the job for you. The town’s marketing campaign, Destination Chesterfield, is in search of two people to join its panel of judges and search out its finest eateries and locally-produced food.

The town’s very own Food and Drink Awards launch later this year and are designed to uncover our gourmet gems. The judges will be required to visit the nominated food outlets and rate them according to a set criterion.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens commented: “Whether it’s a sandwich, a takeaway or a three course gourmet meal,Chesterfield’s food outlets offer something to suit all tastes – literally – and we want to find and recognise the best. To do this, we need a strong judging panel so we’re reaching out to all food lovers and inviting them to join us.”

As well as tasting the food, judges will be getting out and about and sampling the service, ambiance, cleanliness, etc. of the entrants.

If you want to get involved and put yourself forward as a judge, you need to tell Destination Chesterfield, in less than 200 words, why you are Chesterfield’s best foodie.  To enter visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards or send your entry by post to:

Food and Drink Awards Competition,

Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield Commerce Centre

CanalWharf

Chesterfield

S41 7NA

The closing date for entries is Monday 22^nd July 2013.

The awards ceremony, which will be held in autumn, promises to be a glittering affair. If any businesses are interested in becoming a sponsor of the new awards contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or emaildom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield