Eastbourne business wins at Sussex Food and Wine Awards

The Sussex Food Shop of the Year category, sponsored by Wealden District Council, was won by Sharnfold Farm Shop at Stone Cross.

They beat off competition from Charlie’s Farm Shop and Rushfields Farm Shop, both in West Sussex.

Dennis Hilsdon and his wife Carol said they were thrilled to have won the award after being nominated by customers.

“We have been finalists three times before so we are absolutely delighted to have won,” said Dennis.

“It is a real boost to everyone that works here.”

Dennis and his wife took over the farm on the Ersham Road towards Hailsham in 1983 and opened the farm shop in 2001 and the popular coffee shop in 2008. They look after more than 70,000 visitors each year to the farm, shops and farm trail.

The Sussex Ox near Alfriston narrowly missed out on two awards. Michael Sutherland from the eatery was a runner up in the Sussex Young Chef of the Year category and the pub and restaurant was also a runner up in the Sussex Eating Experience of the Year category.

Hosted by awards patron, Sally Gunnell OBE and Danny Pike of BBC Sussex, the awards ceremony at the Amex Stadium in Brighton was a sell out, with almost 400 leaders in the food, drink and farming industry gathering for what is now dubbed as ‘the Sussex foodie event of the year’.

These awards are all about supporting and boosting local farmers, food and drink producers and the outlets which use and sell superb local fare.

Starting from small beginnings, the awards have grown to become prestigious and respected, attracting more than 10,000 votes from members of the public this year and huge support from business in the county, bringing together the whole local food and farming community.

For more results click here

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