Deliciously Yorkshire, The Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and the Humber, officially launched their 2024 Taste Awards today at the Pavilions of Harrogate where a glittering black-tie awards night will take place later this year when the winners will be announced.

New for 2024 is the headline sponsor, supermarket chain Booths.

Nigel Murray, managing director of Booths said “Booths are delighted to support the Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards, Booths was founded on one simple aim, to sell the best food and drink available. Recognising excellence in locally produced food and drink is vital in the food industry. We’re proud to support 20 years of celebrating the best that Yorkshire has to offer. Winning a Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Award encourages confidence and commercial success for small businesses, as well as motivating teams and generating greater awareness for products, locally, regionally and nationally.”

The annual event celebrates the very best of Yorkshire’s thriving food and drink industry and are now in their 20th year. Last year they received a record number of entries from businesses of all shapes and sizes across the county.

Entries are now open until Wednesday 31st July across 23 categories including Best Pork Pie, Best Beverage, Best Cheese, Best New Business and Best Independent Retailer, Best Sustainable Product and The Judy Bell Yorkshire Food Hero.

Judging for the awards will take place in early autumn. The seasoned panel of judges includes industry experts, chefs, supermarket buyers, writers, consultants, and food entrepreneurs.

This year’s panel will be led by head judges, broadcaster Nigel Barden and chef consultant Steph Moon. The panel will also include John Gill from Booths, Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen, Lisa Bennison from Bettys, Valerie Aston from Proudfoot Supermarkets, food writer Elaine Lemm, Amanda Ludlow from the Whisky Lounge and panel IWSC panel judge and Amanda Peberdy from Subrosa.

Commenting on the awards Nigel Barden said: “It’s always a pleasure to be involved in these awards which go from strength to strength each year. Last year it attracted new, innovative and collaborative products and businesses from throughout the region, which makes judging them so exciting. It’s a real testimony to the resilience and passion of the industry here in God’s Own County that our food and drink producers are still thriving and producing products of such a high standard.”

This year’s category sponsors include Cranswick, Reed Boardall, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Holler, Bettys, Parkers Branded, Subrosa, Shepherds Purse Cheeses, Platinum Print, Grow Yorkshire, Verner Wheelock, Marshall Wooldridge, The British Premium Sausage Company, FixOurFood and Fine Food Digest.

The awards shortlist will be announced mid-September, and the awards night will take place on Wednesday 6th November. You can enter the awards at www.deliciouslyorkshire.co.uk/deliciously-yorkshire-taste-awards-2024/