"UKTV Food's Local Food Hero 2007 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the very best of food and produce across Britain. The awards are a tribute to everyone who puts great British produce onto plates, into shops and markets, and on pub and restaurant tables." - Gary RhodesFor the second year - Gary Rhodes and UKTV Food have launched a nationwide search to discover Britain’s ultimate food champion. Now’s your chance to be involved and have your business considered for an impressive reward of £40,000.

UKTV Food: Local Hero 2007 is a major campaign which seeks out and honours those people who go the extra mile to create great local food and offer a valuable service to their community.A people’s award, this is a tribute to everyone who helps put great British produce onto plates, into shops and markets, and on pub and restaurant tables. It’s an appreciative token given by the people who shop and eat local food at regional outlets, including farm shops, farmers’ market stallholders, home delivery schemes, and pick-your-own fruit and vegetable farms. If you are a primary producer; add value to locally sourced products; sell directly to customers; supply local shops, or provide food to schools and institutions - this is your chance to be recognised for excellence and commitment to quality.

Anyone can make a nomination or vote - simply log onto www.uktvfood.co.uk. You can even nominate your own business – and to encourage your customers to vote for you there’s a campaign pack available, more details below. First-stage voting ends on 30 June, and voting to produce the final shortlist ends on
20 August. Find out more – and about UKTV Food’s exciting ‘wildcard’ category – on the website.
THE SEARCH BEGINS …
The nationwide search for Local Food Heroes focuses on ten British regions – Scotland, North East, North West, Midlands, Wales, South East, South West, East Anglia, London, and Northern Ireland.
Everyone’s a champion – all nominees will be listed in an online directory and, as soon as your nomination is received, a pack of award goodies will be delivered to your door which includes a poster, window sticker and compact disc. The disc highlights ways in which you can kick-start your campaign and encourage support from loyal customers. From printing out banners to transferring the Local Food Hero logo onto tee-shirts and posters – it’s all on the disc.

THE PRIZE - YOUR WISH IS GRANTED
Each shortlisted nominee names one wish that will make a massive difference to their business - perhaps a farm shop refurbishment, marketing campaign, new kitchen, or operational facilities. For the ultimate winner of the series, their dream wish is granted so, as well as the title, the winner receives £40,000 to invest into their local business and community.What makes a UKTV Food hero?
Passion
The channel is looking to support small-scale businesses that exhibit pride and passion for their craft and don’t compromise on quality.
Quality
Great taste scores - as does sound business practice. For example, the stall owner who picks fresh-from-the-soil produce to sell at the farmers’ market; the artisan producer who nurtures fabulous regional cheese; and the butcher who sells meat from locally reared animals.
Environmentally sound
From ethically sourced ingredients to animal welfare - we’d expect our food heroes to be aware of seasonality, sustainable food issues, and to respect the land and people who farm it.
Contributing to local communities
Whether celebrating local food traditions, making cakes and puddings, or helping farmers stay afloat – we’re looking for heroes who play a vital role in the community they live in and work with.
KEY DATES
30 June: the first round of voting closes when UKTV Food publishes an online list of the twenty most-voted for businesses in each region. This list will be whittled down to five regional finalists from each area chosen by a panel of experts in combination with votes already polled. There’s also an exciting wildcard category for one more shortlisted finalist in each region which is solely dictated by public votes. 20 August – voting closes for this year.November: the winner of the UKTV Food: Local Hero 2007 will be decided after an original 11-part television series on UKTV Food. The public will also have a chance to vote online for their favourite finalist after each episode goes on-air.

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