2012 will mark the 25th anniversary of the BFFF retail and catering product awards. The landmark milestone will see a plethora of producers, retailers and wholesalers battling it out to be recognised as the most innovative, advanced and great-tasting in both retail and catering product categories.
Commenting on the anniversary, BFFF director general, Brian Young, said: “The frozen food industry has come on in leaps and bounds since the inception of the awards scheme and it will be a pleasure to recognise and rightly award some of the finest manufacturers in the UK on the silver anniversary evening. Through their vision and commitment, BFFF members are developing and creating new frozen food products that meet and exceed consumers' and caterers' expectations in taste, quality and convenience.”
Since the inaugural awards in 1988, BFFF has awarded over 1,000 gold, silver and bronze accolades to some of the biggest food brands on the high street and in foodservice including Brakes, Iceland, McCain and Birds Eye. In total, 150 different member companies have won gold over the last 25 years.
The underlying objective of the awards is to promote the consumption of frozen foods in both retail and catering sectors along with commending frozen food pioneers.
In 2012, the BFFF Retail Awards will once again be sponsored by the Yearsley Group who are leading the way in frozen food sales and logistics, providing your link in the cold chain and the Catering Awards are being sponsored by Partner Logistics UK Ltd. the specialist operator of highly automated warehouses.
Mr Young added: “There is also a great PR opportunity associated with the awards. In previous years, companies have embarked on promotional activities either in-store or in catering outlets by including winner flashes or the BFFF logo on their product packaging, on-shelf labels and menu listings.
“We encourage companies to make the most of every promotional opportunity and suggest that they highlight their successes to customers, shareholders and employees to widen awareness and stimulate greater purchases of their frozen products."
Entries for the 25th anniversary awards close on 9 December 2011. Entry forms can be obtained by contacting Graeme Day on GraemeDay [at] bfff [dot] co [dot] uk 01400 283 092.
The BFFF awards are unique as the retail product entries are judged by the ultimate experts – panels of consumers throughout the United Kingdom - under formal market research procedures. The catering product entries are judged by qualified professionals including representatives of the Craft Guild of Chefs. All products are prepared according to the manufacturers' instructions and are assessed on an individual basis.
Over the last 25 years, the following companies have scooped the most awards:
For Annual Awards details phone Graeme Day – 01400 283092
For copies of the Awards Presentations Photos contact Simply Photography on www.simply-photography.co.uk or 0845 833 5197
For information on the Gala Dinner Dance phone Lynn Carr on 01400 283095 or Jilly Ratty on 01400 283091