More than 450 top food and manufacturing industry executives gathered in central London recently to celebrate the best the industry has to offer.

The gala evening at the Park Plaza Riverbank, London featured a keynote address from Food and Drink Federation director Melanie Leech and was hosted by comedian Hugh Denis.

More than 30 of the UK’s leading food and drink manufacturers competed for 11 coveted awards.

The star accolade, Food Manufacturing Company of the Year 2011, was awarded to Weetabix.

The judges described Weetabix as “a beacon for excellence in food manufacture”. It responded to changing consumer lifestyles with the introduction of tasty new cereal bars that people wanted to buy.

Chairman of judges Paul Wilkinson summed up the firm’s achievement: “Weetabix is an absolutely fantastic story: everything from category management, to innovation and productivity. It is an integrated response to food manufacturing excellence.”

Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted candidates.

Thanks also to our sponsors who make the awards possible.