An expert panel of judges helped decide the shortlist for each category from a range of nominees including noteworthy individuals, renowned brands, and rising SMEs from across the country.
This year the FDF has introduced a new Sustainable Packaging Initiative Award, acknowledging those companies dedicated to reducing their environmental impact through creating sustainable packaging solutions. In light of the Covid-19 crisis, FDF is also celebrating individuals from across the food and drink industry who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes during the pandemic with a Hidden Heroes Award.
This prestigious event brings together around 500 guests to celebrate the success of the winners and the strength of the food and drink industry. Jay Rayner, British journalist, writer, broadcaster and celebrity restaurant critic, returns to host the ceremony.
Ian Wright, chief executive of the FDF, said: “Congratulations to all the teams, individuals, and brands that were nominated for our Awards. Food and drink manufacturers have exceeded all expectations over the last few months in compacting the impact of Covid-19.
“Despite enormous pressure, the food has kept flowing and the nation has been fed – solidifying our role as part of the UK’s critical national infrastructure. Our industry continues to produce the high-quality and innovative goods for which we are known worldwide. Now more than ever, it is vital that we celebrate our success together. I look forward to toasting our shortlisted nominees in February.”
FDF Awards 2020 Shortlist
Apprentice of the Year:
Michal Chalupka – Britvic PLC
Jordan Brosnan - Coca-Cola European Partners
David Blunt - Premier Foods
Matty Desforges - Samworth Brothers Ltd
Ryan Newton - Tereos UK & Ireland
Katie Lines - Weetabix Food Company Limited.
Brand Launch of the Year:
Birds Eye - Birds Eye Green Cuisine
KP Snacks - McCoy’s Muchos
Little Dish - Little Dish Fresh Finger Food
PepsiCo - Naked Lean
Premier Foods – Mr Kipling; Princes.
Campaign of the Year:
Birds Eye - Birds Eye Steamfresh Eat In Full Colour
Britvic Soft Drinks - Sticky situation? Time to Tango
Company Shop Group - Surplus Super Heroes by Company Shop Group
KP - KP ‘Check Your Nuts’ Movember Campaign
Meatless Farm - The Meatless Consumption Target
Mondelez International - ‘Donate your words’
The Watercress Company - #watercress Grab it, Try it, Share it.
Community Partner:
Birds Eye - Birds Eye Veg Power Education Initiative – reigniting the love of vegetables amongst UK youngsters (and their parents)
Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola and StreetGames – Where Everyone Plays
Community Shop - Partnering with the community for a stronger future
Food - a fact of life
Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP)
Premier Foods - McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year competition; The Bread and Butter Thing.
Diet and Health:
Aunt Bessie’s (Nomad Foods) - Aunt Bessie’s Desserts Sugar Reduction
Kellogg’s - Kellogg’s Happy Guts Campaign
Kerry DaVinci Gourmet™ - Taste & Nutrition Renovation
Morning Foods - Fibreful Oatbran porridge
Nestlé UK and Ireland - Sugar and Calorie Reduction across Nestlé Confectionery (2015-2019)
PepsiCo - Naked Lean
pladis - McVitie’s Sugar Reduction.
Education Initiative:
Belazu Ingredient Company - Fresh Enterprise – Belazu and School Food Matters
Birds Eye - Birds Eye Veg Power Education Initiative – reigniting the love of vegetables amongst UK youngsters (and their parents)
Britvic PLC - Britvic’s Young Persons Programme
Food - a fact of life
Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP)
Premier Foods - McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year competition.
Emerging Business:
Aldomak – home of luxury goodies
Feya café
In the Welsh Wind Distillery
Made for Drink
NEMI Teas
Nurture Brands
PLAYin CHOC.
Environmental Leadership:
Birds Eye - Follow the Fish – a successful story of sustainable sourcing by Birds Eye
Ferrero - Ferrero: global leaders in sustainable palm oil
Matthew Algie - Matthew Algie Sustainability 5 Year Plan (2017-2021)
Midas Mead - Midas Mead’s Regeneration of Damaged Ancient Woodland
Milk & More - Milk & More’s environmental initiative
pladis UK and Ireland - #Road2Zero
The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Rivers Trust, Thames21 and Enfield Council - Broomfield Park Wetland.
Exporter of the Year (sponsored by Santander UK):
Belvoir Fruit Farms
British Corner Shop
Britvic PLC
Macsween of Edinburgh
Ramsden International
Wyke Farms Ltd.
Food and Drink Engineer of the Year:
Jeff Nan - British Sugar
Jose Carles - Coca-Cola European Partners
Emma McLeod - Mondelez International
Karl Davidson – Pepsico
Ian Pugh - Premier Foods
Mark Carnell - Premier Foods
Jed Taylor - The Greater Good Fresh Brewing Co.
Food and Drink Scientist of the Year (sponsored by Institute of Food Science and Technology):
Dr Steven Muir - Agrico UK Ltd
Dan Hall - Campden BRI
Dr Danny Bayliss - Campden BRI
Dr Peter Hynes - Meatless Farm
Conan Fryer - Premier Foods.
HR Initiative:
2 Sisters Food Group - Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Reduction Program
apetito - Emerging Leaders Programme
Britvic PLC - myLife launch – supporting the wellbeing of our employees
Company Shop Group - Celebrating our second Queen’s Award with our colleagues
KP Snacks - KP4ME: Making rewards more rewarding
Moy Park - Moy Park Culinary Academy
PepsiCo - ‘Grow our Own’ Training and Education Programme.
Innovation (sponsored by Pentadel Project Management):
Coppola Foods - Fabalous Organic Hazelnut & Cocoa Chickpeas spread
Hunter & Gather Foods
Meatless Farm - Plant-based pea protein range
Pep & Lekker - New recipes, & sustainable packaging for Pep & Lekker
Purely Plantain -3 Cheers for Health-Conscious Plantain
The Greater Good Fresh Brewing Co - The Pinter.
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist of the Year:
James Collier – Huel
Lauren Woodley - Nomad Foods
Rebecca Fitzgerald - Starbucks Coffee Company
Edward Allen - Tata Consumer Products GB Ltd.
Rising Star (sponsored by PepsiCo UK & Ireland):
James McComas - Birds Eye
Sara Lopez - Birds Eye
Anna Maitland - British Sugar
Amelia Cockran - Coca-Cola European Partners
Megan Eade - Reading Scientific Services Limited
Oliver Bradbury - Premier Foods.
Sustainable Packaging Initiative:
ABP UK - Sustainable Meat Packaging Project
Border Biscuits - Border Biscuits removes 90% of plastic from its packaging
Coca-Cola Great Britain and Coca-Cola European Partners - Coca-Cola: Working towards a World Without Waste
Little Freddie organic baby & toddler food - Little Freddie’s Zero Waste to Landfill Pouch Recycling Scheme
Montezuma’s Chocolate - Montezuma’s Sustainable Packaging – leading the way with recyclable, compostable or biodegradable packaging
Princes Limited - Recycled PET in soft drinks and edible oils.