Altrincham Market has been named as a finalist in BBC Radio 4’s Food & Farming Awards 2016.
The market has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Food Market’ category, representing more national recognition after its Observer Food Monthly award in October.
The announcement was made yesterday by Sheila Dillon, who presents BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme.
Altrincham is up against St Dogmael’s Local Producers Market in Pembrokeshire and Dean Forest Food Hub. Doncaster Market won the category last year.
The finalists start off as a nomination sent in by a member of the public and then a team of judges, including some of the UK’s best known chefs and food writers, select finalists in each of the 10 categories.
The judges’ citation for Altrincham Market read: “Altrincham Market received its Charter in 1290 and has remained a familiar landmark to this day continuing to provide a wide range of fresh, wholesome produce ideal for a healthy family diet. The Market and a new permanent food venue in the revamped Market House, selling high quality produce made, grown, sourced or owned by people in the north west of England.”
The judges, including the likes of chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Angela Hartnett, will now decide the winners, to be announced at the BBC Food & Farming Awards ceremony in Bristol on Thursday 28 April.
Sheila Dillon, Presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme and host of the awards, said: “What’s cheered me yet again going through the nominations is the evidence of thousands of young people going into the quality food business.
“A few years ago it could be written off as the Jamie Oliver effect… the appeal of the life of the sexy chef. Now, it’s way beyond that because wherever you look: bakeries, ice-cream, butchery, delis, fish curing, charcuterie, juices, soft drinks, spirits, beer, ciders…. young people are there starting new businesses, reviving old ones, and bringing new blood into established family firms. You’d have to be Scrooge not to feel optimistic about Britain’s food future.”
