Still time to enter the food manufacturing Oscars

The FMEAs celebrate the achievements of British food and drink manufacturing businesses. We are looking for businesses which have boosted efficiency, pioneered new working practices and maximised profitable output while minimising costs.

Specific awards recognise the progress made by manufacturers across a range of categories:​ from ambient, bakery and beverages, to dairy, meat and poultry and seafood. There are also categories for the Chilled Food Manufacturing Company of the Year and Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year. A full list of category and special awards appears at the end of this article.

The ultimate accolade​

From the list of winners, the independent judges – chaired by Paul Wilkinson – will award one business the ultimate accolade – the Food manufacturing business of the year.

Last year Premier Foods’s Ashford factory won the top title, plus two other awards​ – the Ambient manufacturing company of the year and the Training programme of the year.

The judges said: “Premier Foods has shown great skill in carrying out a major restructuring of its operation against a difficult backdrop, which has resulted in continuous year-on-year improvement.”​

Impress customers and suppliers​

So, why not enter the awards today? Winning an award or place on the short list would be great for team morale and impress customers and suppliers.

Entering all categories of awards is free and simple. Complete an online entry form​ or download a form to complete and return by post.

This year’s Awards will be presented at a glittering gala dinner to be held at the London Hilton in Park Lane on Thursday November 20.

To enter the awards, visit the awards website​ or email Rebecca George at: erorppn.trbetr@jeoz.pbz or call her on: 01293 610422.

Meanwhile, don’t miss your chance to vote in the Personality of the year award – your opportunity to recognise the contributions that one of six very different food and drink industry leaders have made to the sectors they serve. The list appears at the end of this article.

FMEA Awards categories​

• Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year

• Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year

• Beverages Manufacturing Company of the Year

• Chilled Food Manufacturing Company of the Year

• Dairy Manufacturing Company of the Year

• Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year

• Frozen Foods Manufacturing Company of the Year

• Meat and Poultry Manufacturing Company of the Year

• Seafood Manufacturing Company of the Year

Special awards​

• Food manufacturing company of the year
• Best new use of food ingredients
• Supply chain initiative of the year
• Training programme of the year
• Environmental initiative of the year
• SME innovation of the year
• Judges’ star performer
• Young Talent of the Year

Personality of the Year shortlist​

• Charlie Bigham, founder, Charlie Bigham’s ready meals business
• Patrick Coveney, chief executive, Greencore
• Gavin Darby, chief executive, Premier Foods
• Chris Elliott, professor of food safety, Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University, Belfast
• Helen and Lisa Tse, founders, Sweet Mandarin
• Andy Wood, chief executive, Adnams

Vote for your favourite candidate here​ and enter the awards here​ or email erorppn.trbetr@jeoz.pbz​ or call her on: 01293 610422. Good luck!