Chef Simon Haigh heads judging panel for Warwickshire food awards

Simon Haigh, the Michelin starred executive head chef at the Mallory Court Hotel, Warwickshire, has been appointed chair of the judging panel for the 2009 Coventry & Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards.

The annual awards, which will be announced at a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Monday 21 September, recognise and reward excellence and innovation in locally sourced produce that exists throughout the region.

Organised by Warwickshire County Council and supported by Advantage West Midlands, the awards were open to all Coventry & Warwickshire businesses that either serve or produce food and drink. The deadline for entry into the awards scheme has now passed.

Haigh, along with an experienced and knowledgeable industry panel including independent judging organisation 'Quality in Tourism', will assist with the short-listing and judging of the entries. Five businesses per category will be short-listed in relation to their quality, excellence in customer service and innovative use of local produce at a judging meeting on 20 July at the Mallory Court Hotel.

The final placing meeting will take place on 10 August at the hotel when the winners will be decided. All entrants will be provided with invaluable and useful feedback after the assessment.

Simon Haigh, head chef at Mallory Court Hotel, commented: "I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Judging Panel for these highly coveted and prestigious awards. The awards are a great initiative in rewarding and recognising local businesses for their hard work and commitment to using locally sourced produce.

"Each year the quality and standard of the entries gets harder in choosing a winner and I'm certain that this year will be no exception. We will be looking for that extra attention to detail, the commitment to the provision of quality, locally sourced produce and exemplary standards of service and innovation."

The Awards is organised with the support of representatives from Advantage West Midlands, Business Link West Midlands, CVOne, Heart of England Fine Foods, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Shakespeare Country, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council.

Words: Maria Bracken

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