The Gloucestershire Foodie Awards were officially launched at Brimscombe Mill, Stroud, last night - and Punchline was there.

Punchline editor Mark Owen and junior reporter Bethany Winter joined about 40 representatives of the county's food and drink and hospitality industry at the event.

The awards are set to take place on Monday, October 3, at a venue still to be confirmed and organisers are also on the look-out for sponsors for the various categories.

Jonathan Smith, founder of the Gloucestershire Food Awards, said: "It's a brand new event which celebrates all the makers, bakers and creators in the county, everyone who's in the food and drink and hospitality industry.

"The inspiration is really about having something that celebrates and recognises the people in the food and drink sector. We all enjoy going out for a meal and it's giving them the opportunity to get recognised as they've had a really tough two years.

"It's been tough for everyone but I think hospitality has definitely been up there with the ones that have really shown innovation with the wonderful ideas they've come up with to keep us entertained, and fed and watered, so that's what it's really about - recognising people in the sector.

"We have a whole range of categories from front house, back house, the restaurants, fine dining and casual dining, the chefs, young foodies, new food producers, new drink producers and farm shops. There's also cookery school awards because Gloucestershire has so many amazing cookery schools so we want to see a way in which we can support them as well."

Steve Gardner-Collins, chairman of Visit Gloucestershire, who are the first sponsor of the Gloucestershire Foodie Awards, said: "It's a celebration of everything that's great about food and drink across Gloucestershire. It's not something we've done in the past in the county - we've had elements of food and drink awards in pockets in the Forest and the Cotswolds but it's great to put an umbrella over that and say let's celebrate all things Gloucestershire."

Asked about the problems affecting the industry, such as Covid and rising costs, Steve said: "Just like the last couple of years, we will survive and I think if we all keep momentum and we all work together over the next few months. It probably will get harder again with Ukraine but we got through two years and I think we can whack a third on as well.

"With the nice weather, I'm sure over the next couple of weeks people will think local and come out and spend their money on all their lovely food and drink experiences."

Tom Herbert, founder of The Long Table social enterprise, which is based at Brimscombe Mill, said: "If in all the chaos of the world we can stop can stop even for one night to celebrate those people in Gloucestershire who have gone above and beyond and gone the extra mile to make life just that bit more tasty or delicious why not?

"If you know someone you might nominate, that would be hugely welcome and the more people who get involved the more successful the awards will be."

The Long Table, which was launched four years ago, gathers people for food on a pay-as-you-can basis.

"Anyone can eat our food and pay what they can," added Tom. "We get all sorts coming here and teach local youngsters how to cook."

"It's been a difficult time for a lot of people but people have stepped up and found ways of getting food to people.

"The Foodie Awards wants to 'pay forward' 1,000 meals so if you visit the Long Table website  it's possible to pay forward a meal and we'll see it will go to someone who needs it. Come and see us and check that we're for real."

The complete list of Gloucestershire Foodie Award categories can be found at www.gloucestershirefoodieawards.co.uk 

The awards are FREE to enter, and the award entry deadline is September 2, 2022.