Succulent, seasonal, 7-course menu at Sussex Food & Drink Awards

Head Chef at the American Express Community Stadium, Dave Crawford, rose to the challenge of developing a feast fit to be served at the Sussex culinary event of the year, when his tantalising menu was approved by the Sussex Food and Drink Awards tasting team.

His succulent, seasonal, seven-course menu will be served at the Sussex Food and Drink Awards Banquet on 31^st January 2013 at the Amex Stadium, hosted by awards patron Sally Gunnell OBE and BBC presenter Danny Pike, and will remain a closely guarded secret until the night according to organisers who opened ticket sales today.

Chair of Judges, Clive Beddall OBE, said: “The Sussex Food & Drink Awards is now in its seventh year and keeping the menu innovative is never easy but the combination of tastes that Dave has put together is simply stunning and having tried this year’s offering, I am delighted to say that the standard is higher than ever.”

“Places at the awards are limited, so we would urge those interested in coming along – whether they be business people looking for a splendid night shared with the superb food and drink community of Sussex, or individuals who want to enjoy a gourmet feast – to book their tickets soon.”

Whilst the menu, along with the awards winners, will only be revealed on the night, clues can be found in the names of dishes to be served, which include Sussex by the Sea, Sussex Upside Downs, Sussex Delight, The Green Grass of Sussex and The Sussex Cut Above the Rest. 

Two tickets to the dinner are up for grabs by the person who correctly identifies the key Sussex ingredients used in each and the order in which they will be served.  For your chance to be at the dinner on 31^st January 2013 post your answer on www.facebook.com/sussexfoodawards or e-mail your entry to sandra@naturalpr.biz by 30^th November 2012.

Head of Commercial Services at Brighton and Hove Albion, Paul Rogers, said: “It’s fantastic to be hosting an event as prestigious as the Sussex Food & Drink Awards ceremony again; it’s about celebrating all that is great in the Sussex Food & Drink industry and gives us the opportunity to demonstrate that our talents aren’t only on the pitch!”

Tickets are now on sale at £80 plus VAT per person or £750 plus VAT for a table of ten, with details on the website www.sussexfoodawards.biz or to book call Sandra Murphy on 01273 857242.

Sussex Cheese Bowling Champions 2012

Three women have been declared champions after 250 people competed in the second annual Sussex Cheese Bowling Championship, held at Hove Lawns last weekend as part of the Brighton Food Festival’s Sussex and the World Market.

Thirty-two-year-old Lucy Shearman from Brighton was overall winner on Saturday September 15 and then Victoria Wilkes and Steph Tooley tied in the contest on Sunday September 16, rolling their High Weald Dairy St Giles cheese balls closest to the big cheese target on a marked out green on Hove seafront.

Said Paula Seager, MD of Natural PR, who organised the sport: “The Brighton Food Festival event was superb, attended by thousands and people got whole-heartedly involved with the cheese bowling with many staying to watch all afternoon.

“We are grateful to The Southern Co-operative, who sponsored the event and provided lots of their staff volunteers to help run the contest throughout the weekend – it was quirky, fun and all about delicious local fare, with contestants taking home their tasty cheeses to eat later. We’ll be back next year!”

The team (seen in the photo above) also raised £364 for Chestnut Tree House, the only children’s hospice in Sussex, at the event, with Peter Allan from High Weald Dairy also donating his salary on the day as well. Winners will receive presentation boxes with a selection of the dairy's delicious cheeses.

Over 100,000 people enjoyed Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival’s Autumn Harvest events, which ran from September 7 to 16, sponsored by PHS Wastetech and Spire Healthcare and run by Festival Director Nick Mosley and a team of local volunteers.

www.brightonfoodfestival.com

Win VIP Royal Pavilion Ice Rink Tickets

The last few rays of summer may still be with us, but a VIP prize awaits winter’s early birds at The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink in Brighton.

As well as the opportunity to skate on real ice against the stunning backdrop of the Royal Pavilion, this year visitors will also be able to sample delicious dishes from Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts. The attraction will open to the public from November 10 until January 20, 2013.

General ticket sales for the ice rink open at midday on September 20 and the first 50 skaters will win a pair of tickets to the VIP launch party on November 8. The lucky ticket holders will join media and celebrities to become the first to take to the ice this year at the seasonal attraction, now in its third year.

Winners can also sample canapés and tasty dishes from Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts, which will be tantalising tastebuds at a “pop up” restaurant alongside the attraction. Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts is a partnership between Jamie and fresh food expert Nigel Harris and brings the TV chef”s passionate, entertaining and relaxed approach to food and dining at venues and events across Britain.

Shella Parkin, managing director of Laine Ltd, who organises the event, said: “The Pavilion belongs to the people of Brighton and Hove so it seemed only right that we give everyone the chance to come along to our launch party.

“As well as being first to test out the ice for the Christmas season, our guests will be able to preview the delicious dishes from the team at Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts. It doesn’t matter whether you are a pro skater or it’s your first time taking to the ice, our aim is to offer the best Christmas skating and food experience yet here at the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink.”

With the former Royal pleasure palace as backdrop, the 800 square metre rink has space for 250 skaters per session, ‘penguin’ skate aids for especially for children and has consistently been listed in the top 5 Christmas rinks in the country since it first opened in 2010.

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink tickets will open for sale at midday on 20^th September at: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/royal-pavilion-ice-rink

Brighton wins its own TV Licence

Brighton hit the headlines this week when Latest TV won the licence for terrestrial TV in Brighton and Hove.   

Said Bill Smith, MD of The Latest Group: "At last Brighton and Hove will have its own television station with its own studios in the heart of the city at Latest Musicbar; broadcasting on Channel 8 on the Freeview platform with slots on other platforms to be confirmed.

"We intend to deliver the latest news and sport, top class entertainment, documentaries, education, comedy, music and everything that the people of Brighton and Hove expect from a quality TV station. We also look forward to working with the existing local independent producers in the city like BTV /Electric Sky and back2back productions.

"Brighton and Hove has the biggest arts festival in England, a brand spanking new football stadium that is one of the best in the UK, top class businesses, world class universities and colleges, great radio stations and magazines and as everyone knows, it is one of the sexiest places on earth. 

"Latest TV looks forward to showcasing the best of Brighton, Hove, Worthing  and surrounding areas, and also to working with the BBC to provide up to the minute local news provision.  With Wired Sussex, Latest TV will be a catalyst for growth in the crucial  digital, creative and IT sector."

Phélim Mac Cafferty, Deputy Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "We are all absolutely delighted that Latest is the successful bidder for local television in Brighton and Hove. Latest has built strong and successful partnerships with many of the major organisations in the community including the council, the Albion, local radio and our city’s vibrant digital sector. We look forward to working with Latest in showcasing our diverse, creative and modern city to local people and beyond.”

Continued Bill Smith: "Finally, Latest TV would like to thank the past and present Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Jeremy Hunt MP and Maria Miller MP, the DCMS and all at Ofcom for realising the importance of local democracy. We would also like to thank our three MPs, Caroline Lucas MP, Mike Weatherley MP and Simon Kirby MP, and Jason Kitcat, the leader of Brighton & Hove City Council for the city council’s support, plus Gill Mitchell, the leader of the Brighton & Hove Labour & Co-operative Party, and Lord Bassam of Brighton for their cross-party support."

Sussex Foodie News September 2012

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