Winners’ delight at food awards’ triumph

Wobblegate at Bolney in Mid Sussex won drink producer of the year and Tom Stephens, who collected the award with his dad Glyn, said: “We did not expect to win it. I did think that because a lot of pubs tend to rotate beer more than cider so more people see it, that the brewery would win as more people would see their products and vote.

“We have got lots of followers on Facebook and Twitter so we had lots of people voting for us.”

Sussex Food Shop of the Year was won by Rushfields Farm Shop in Poynings. Colin Langridge said: “It’s a great privilege to win this award and recognises how our customers and the judges feel about Rushfields. We work very hard to be the best we can, sourcing good local produce and giving outstanding customer service. We work hard with our producers and suppliers, not buying the cheapest, only the best. “

Sussex Butcher of the Year, sponsored by Absolute Butchery was won by A C Coughtrey butchers’ shop is in Stane Street in Pulborough and they have served their customers for over 25 years.

Alec Coughtrey said: “We have been going for over 25 years and it is the first time we have won anything. I want to thank our customers and the farmers who supply us.

“We go out and meet and talk to the farmers and look at the animals to see if they are too fatty or too lean.”

Sussex Farmers Market of the Year was won by Steyning Farmers Market. Derek Crush, who accepted the award with his wife Vicky, said: “I would just like to thank everybody. Those that haven’t won this year, don’t give up - it has taken us 15 years to do this.”

He said he was off to lamb some of his sheep after the ceremony which finished after 11pm.”

“We are fairly strict about who we have at the market and We have restricted the number of stalls to 30 and they are all local producers - most come from within five miles.”

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