THE REGION’S top food and drink outlets will find out who has been crowned the best of the bunch in a prestigious award ceremony on Friday.

The Flavours of Herriot Country Awards, at the Garden Rooms, Tennants, in Leyburn, will name the businesses that have been outstanding in their fields following a deliberation process from a panel of expert judges.

This year there are 11 categories in the contest, including best locally produced beer, best attraction caterer and local product of the year and best tearoom.

There is also a readers’ choice award in the contest, which is sponsored by Wensleydale Creamery and supported by the Darlington & Stockton Times, Welcome to Yorkshire and Hambleton District Council.

The finalists have all be selected by a panel of judges including Gilli Cliff, who has published more than a dozen books and chaired the Guild of Food Writers and food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden, who works with Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 2 shows, and is the food correspondent for BBC London. 

He specialises in promoting British ingredients and artisan producers, particularly in his role as chairman of The Great Taste Awards, Farm Shop and Deli Awards, World Cheese Awards, and the British Cookery School Awards.

The judging panel was chaired by Elaine Lemm, Yorkshire-born chef-restaurateur turned national food writer.

She will present the awards alongside Stephanie Moon, one of North Yorkshire’s most prominent chefs.

The event’s main sponsors are the Wensleydale Creamery and Welcome to Yorkshire, and further sponsors include Herbalife, Figs Catering, Roots Farmshop, Bow House, Yorkshire Hamper Company, 121 Workwear, The Barker Partnership, World of James Herriot, Darlington and Stockton Times, Barclays Banks and Grand Central Rail.