Food and Drink Awards handed out for 15th year

Organiser Rachel Mallows said the finalists at the awards appreciated the recognition

An awards ceremony celebrating a county's food and drink makes a difference to local producers, organisers say.

Northamptonshire businesses took part in a ceremony at Northampton's Derngate Theatre on Wednesday.

The event, now its 15th year, celebrated chefs, cafes, pubs, restaurants and local produce across a variety of categories.

Organiser Rachel Mallows said recognition was "something to shout about" for the 99 nominees.

Categories included artisan local drink, artisan local vegetarian/vegan product, gastro pub, world cuisine restaurant and local food hero.

Ms Mallows said the awards "arose out of some research looking at where the [food] sector was going" in Northamptonshire.

She said that research showed "the scene didn't look very good, but actually the sector felt it was good".

"The awards were designed to celebrate what was great in the county," she said.

Silverstone Circuits was one of the winners on the night

Over the years it has expanded and added new categories, including "event venue" introduced this year, and won by Silverstone Circuits.

Ms Mallows said recognition by the awards "makes a difference" to the local business and producers, which was the event's "guiding principle".

She said some of the pubs and restaurants which are nominated can see an increase of 20-25% in trade.

"If it doesn't make a difference to a business it's not really worth doing it," she said.