A tasty turnout for area in Beds Food and Drink Awards finals

Beds Food and Drink Award sponsors with Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson

With the voting part of the competition now concluded, businesses from across the county are biting their nails in anticipation of the results,which will be revealed at Luton Hoo Conservatory on June 15.

The Black Cat Farm Shop, at Sandy, is a finalist in two categories – Best Independent Food Retailer/Producer of the Year and Best Independent Wine Merchants.

A pair of Sandy bakeries – Gunns Bakery and The Rockabilly Cake House – are competing against each other for the Best Artisan Bakery title.

The other Biggleswade area finalists, competing against others from across the county, are as follows:

Best Newcomer – Shefford’s new continental-style cafe bar, The Loft;

Gastro Pub of the Year – The Coach House, at Potton;

Outstanding Service Excellence Award – The Rockabilly Cake House, at Sandy;

Best Microbrewery – Potton Brewery, of Potton;

Best Farmers’ Market Stallholder – Brisco’s Gourmet Cake Company, of Biggleswade.

Beds Food & Drink Awards spokesman Karen McGeeney said: “The public’s response has been stunning.

“Some 187 businesses were nominated and the voting stage saw 29,000 votes cast in total.

“The customers of businesses in the Biggleswade area were undoubtedly motivated to campaign for their favourite venues en masse.

“We were blown away by the response, which clearly shows how much people love and support quality food and drink venues.”

The results of the voting are remaining under closely guarded lock and key until the Grand Final on June 15.

Find out more about the awards at www.bedsfda.co.uk

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