Ten regional finalists are celebrating the news that they are successfully through to the final round of judging in Olives Et Al’s Deli of the Year 2012 competition.
The regional winners are Scotland – The Scottish Deli, Dunkeld; Wales – Ultracomida, Aberystwyth; Northern Ireland – Arcadia, Belfast; North East – Haley & Clifford, Leeds; North West – Delifonseca Dockside, Liverpool; West Midlands – Truffles, Ross-on-Wye; London – The Alberts Deli, Richmond; South East – The Butcher’s Hall & Country Grocer, Forest Green, Surrey; East Midlands – Delilah, Nottingham and South West – Bloomfields, Highworth near Swindon.
The whole competition is organised and run by the Dorset-based artisan food specialist, Olives Et Al, which designed the competition in such a way that it allows every business that enters to showcase itself by engaging with staff, customers and their local community. Olives Et Al has ensured this helps entrants to clarify and develop what they do for the benefit of long-term business growth.
This year more than 300 delis were nominated and more than 12,000 people voted for their favourite deli. Delis across the length and breadth of the UK were involved and they were judged by a panel of independent food and retail experts. Community involvement was high up on the list of why people voted for their local delis followed by a ‘brilliant selection of deliciously, different food’, ‘the friendliest team ever’, ‘fabulous croissants and warm bread’ and even ‘handing out hot water bottles on chilly days so we can enjoy our coffee outside’.
Deli of the Year is championed by The Guild of Fine Food and the winning deli will be announced at the Great Taste Awards dinner in London on Monday 3 September.
Source: Olives Et Al
