THERE is just one week left for entries to be received for the 2010 Shoprite Food Heroes competition, launched at the Food & Drink Festival in September, to recognise excellent quality in Manx produce.
The closing date for entries is next Tuesday, November 30th, for six categories including awards for the best large and small companies, the finest food and drink products, the strongest brand and the most innovative new product. The competition is equivalent to the ‘Manx Food & Drink Oscars’.
The winners will be decided from a short list by a panel of judges including representatives from Shoprite, Isle of Man Newspapers and The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, as well as respected industry individuals. There will also be a ‘Favourite Manx Product’ that will be chosen by public vote.
“We are delighted to be involved in these awards,” said Andrew Thomas, chief executive of Shoprite. “They are a chance to promote and recognise the high quality that the Island’s food producers are now offering. As a Manx business ourselves we understand the importance of supporting local companies.”
DEFA Minister John Shimmin added, “This is a timely initiative to highlight the great work that local companies and brands are doing at a time when food provenance is becoming increasingly relevant. We hope that it will encourage the Island’s consumers to sample some of the excellent products in the Manx market.”
The winners and commended entries will be contacted in January and invited to attend a prize presentation at the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture. The results will appear in Isle of Man Newspapers and on the Shoprite website. They will also be featured on isleofman.com
Winning brands and companies, and products that in the opinion of the judges are of a high quality, will be able to carry the award logo on their packaging and other corporate literature as an endorsement. Isle of Man newspapers will also produce a full colour supplement featuring all of the winning brands and companies.
Each winning entry will receive Shoprite vouchers to the value of £100. Commended entries will receive £50 vouchers.
Entry forms can be collected in all Shoprite stores around the Island. There are six different categories:- Best Tasting Food; Best Tasting Drink; Favourite Manx food/drink brand or product; Most Original Idea; Best Small Company (1-10 staff); Best Large Company (11 staff+). Nominations can be made by anyone, including the companies themselves.
