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A school cook serving game pie and fruit terrine to hundreds of
pupils; an Indian restaurant using an idea from the streets of Mumbai
to serve up takeaways; a cider maker who decided to turn his apples
into brandy; and one of the most popular food writers - are all among
the winners of this year's BBC Radio 4 Food & Farming Awards.
The Awards were launched by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2000, and to
mark the 10th anniversary this year, BBC Radio 4 are delighted that
TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall both attended and
took part in the awards at BBC Broadcasting House, London, hosted by
the Director General of the BBC, Mark Thompson.
They were joined by a star studded line up of food and farming
celebrities including Raymond Blanc, Mark Hix, Alex James, Angela
Hartnett, Jimmy Doherty and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
Raymond Blanc, Chair of Judges, said: "We are going through a
maelstrom of change in food and farming, not just in Britain but
around the world. What makes me feel more optimistic about the future
is learning about the passion, hard work, skill and knowledge of the
winners and finalists in these Awards. It has been an inspiration to
hear stories of producers reviving food traditions that we came so
close to losing, and of farmers helping to secure the future of their
own local breeds of animal. We are beginning to reconnect with our
food again - these Awards are proof of that".
Just one of the success stories from this year's awards is former
chef, John Rankin, who won The Best Dinner Lady or Man Award which
was presented to him by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. John arrived at
Penair Secondary School in Truro, Cornwall two years ago and his
introduction of imaginative menus using carefully sourced local
produce has seen the dinner queue grow from 30 to 300 diners!
Of John Rankin's win, judge, Jeanette Orrey (the former dinner lady
who worked with Jamie Oliver and is now a leading expert and
campaigner for school food) said: "Long queues for school
dinners are evidence of John's popularity. The quality of his food is
exceptional and he's managed to involve the children, parents and
school staff by running everything from butchery master classes to an
impressive kitchen garden. Outstanding."
The full list of this year's winners:
BEST FOOD MARKET - The Goods Shed, Daily Farmers' Market & Food
Hall, Canterbury, Kent (Presented by Raymond Blanc)
BEST LOCAL FOOD RETAILER - A. Ryan & Son, Butchers, Much Wenlock,
Shropshire (Presented by Jimmy Doherty)
BEST DINNER LADY OR MAN - John Rankin, Penair Secondary School,
Truro, Cornwall (Presented by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall)
BEST FOOD PRODUCER - Trealy Farm Charcuterie, Mitchel Troy, Monmouth
(Presented by Mark Hix).
BEST RETAIL INITIATIVE - Growfair - Pride of Cornwall, Bodmin,
Cornwall (Presented by Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for
Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)
BEST TAKE-AWAY - The Thali Café, Bristol (Presented by Angela
Hartnett)
FARMER OF THE YEAR - Andrew Dennis, Woodlands Organic Farm, Boston,
Lincs (Presented by Alex James)
THE DEREK COOPER AWARD - The Food Ethics Council (Presented by Hugh
Fearnley-Whittingstall)
SPECIAL JUDGES AWARD - Julian Temperley, The Somerset Cider Brandy
Company, Martock, Somerset (Presented by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall)
BBC FOOD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR - Nigel Slater (Presented by HRH The
Prince of Wales)
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