Quality Food Awards evolve for 2007

The awards are being launched with a new “Call for Entries” booklet, which is being distributed in this month's issue of Checkout magazine.

The booklet incorporates the entry form for the 2007 awards plus a table booking form for the awards presentation on 28 November. It also highlights the changes to the awards including new product categories and a fabulous new central London venue.

Announcing the developments, Fiona Briggs, editor of Checkout, said: “As you would expect from the UK's leading food and drink awards, we continually evolve the event to ensure it remains as up-to-date and relevant to the food industry it seeks to reward and recognise. This year we are delighted to announce a number of significant improvements including new product categories and a spectacular new venue.”

The new product categories are Free-from, reflecting the growth in sales of wheat-free, gluten-free and dairy-free lines plus products specifically designed to be nut-free; Fairtrade Products, responding to the growth in sales of Fairtrade lines; and Food to Go, incorporating sandwiches, wraps, handheld snacks, and salad pots.

Other changes to the categories in 2007 include the removal of the specific Healthier and Organic Products categories. Products with these attributes will now be judged under the umbrella of their parent category. An organic cheese, for instance, will be judged alongside other cheeses, while a healthier ethnic ready meal will compete with other ethnic ready meals.

Soft Drinks and Hot Beverages are also reintroduced into the Quality Food Awards in recognition that they provide a much better fit with the grocery categories than with the Quality Drink Awards, which will now solely focus on alcoholic beverages.

Having outgrown its previous two venues, the awards will be held in a stunning new venue this year –- Après at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London. On 28 November, Battersea Evolution will adopt an après-ski theme, providing an ice cool backdrop to the Quality Food Awards. The Quality Food Awards are open to both branded and own label products and to both new and established lines.

Please use the Call for Entries booklet to enter your products and to reserve your place at Battersea Evolution and the launch of the winter party season.

Email Nancy Mok on [e=mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it [/e] to request your copy.