Food manufacturing Oscars celebrate young talent

In this video interview, Wilkinson explained how any move to raise the profile of young people in food and drink manufacturing was welcomed, at time when the sector needed to recruit 137,000 people to replace those due to retire in the near future.

Apprentice, technician and graduate​

The new award is designed to celebrate both the achievement and potential of new industry entrants at apprentice, technician and graduate level. Youngsters need to be made more aware of food and drink industry careers and this new award will help to achieve that, Wilkinson told FoodManufacture.co.uk.

The category is sponsored by recruitment company B3 Jobs.

The Young Talent award joins a series of awards intended to recognise excellence across a number of manufacturing 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 will select one firm to receive the ultimate accolade – the Food manufacturing business of the year.

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: rebecca.george@wrbm.com or call her on: 01293 610422.

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