Following the success of the inaugural Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards in 2021, the Foodie Awards are launching the Gloucestershire Foodie Awards in 2022.

Jonathan Smith, Foodie Awards founder and director, explained: "With a big nod to nature and sustainability, The Foodie Awards seeks to maximise exposure for the Gloucestershire catering and hospitality community and raise the profile of regional food, drink, and their platforms to put them on the map.

"Crucially, the ultimate aim is to bring the community together to support, cook, create, chat, enjoy food and drink - the Foodie Awards want to make a difference."

With the support and backing of Visit Gloucestershire, the 2022 Gloucestershire Foodie Awards aims to celebrate the food, drinks, event makers, creators, and providers of local, regional food, drinks, and hospitality experiences within Gloucestershire, from the Cotswolds to Cinderford, Tewkesbury to Stroud.

Steve Gardner-Collins, director and chair at Visit Gloucestershire, commented: "Having the opportunity to celebrate all the wonderful foodie delights made and sold in the county is a chance for everyone to enjoy a taste of what Gloucestershire has to offer. We're delighted at Visit Gloucestershire to be a key sponsor for the Gloucestershire Foodie Awards 2022."

The awards will launch on Tuesday, 26th April, from 5pm to 7 pm, with an event at the Long Table in Stroud. The team at the Long Table is seeking to change the world through food. Set-up almost four years ago in asking, 'what if everyone in Brimscombe had access to great food and people to eat it with?' The team now runs a community interest company in Stroud.

While the launch event is free to attend, the Foodie Awards champions the Pay as you Can initiative. The Long Table serves hot bowls of tasty food as a PAY-AS-YOU-CAN, which ensures everyone can eat at the table. Please do, if you can afford to pay £6 for each meal. If you need a free meal, the Long Table is glad to be there, and anything in between will help towards the costs. Contributions over £6 help other people eat the same great food for less.

Jonathan added: "As well as launching the Gloucestershire Foodie Awards, we want to encourage everyone to purchase a 'One Meal' Coin as part of the Pay as you Can to support the Long Table initiative. It truly is a great place to be. We are delighted to confirm The Long Table as the chosen charity for us to support through the Gloucestershire Foodie Awards"

To reserve your place at the launch evening, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/316598152597 

The complete list of award categories (18) can be found at https://www.gloucestershirefoodieawards.co.uk  and ranges from Made in Gloucestershire Food/Drink to Best Mobile/Street Food Food/Drink, Fine Dining, Casual Dining, Best Cookery School, to Food Hero/Community Awards. The awards are FREE to enter, and the award entry deadline is 2nd Sept 2022.

The awards ceremony will take place on Monday 3rd October 2022, venue to be confirmed.

Jonathan concluded: "We aim to give businesses visibility and commendation in a relaxed and friendly setting. It is set to celebrate the people in the industry who continue to strive, create and evolve delicious and captivating food and drink.

"We are an awards business that makes a difference. We encourage all in the food and drink sector, within the wider Gloucestershire area, to enter and support this fine and growing community."