FROZEN FOOD CHAMPIONS 2016 ANNOUNCED

Dishes from Iceland Foods and Pacific West Foods were crowned champion Best New Frozen Retail and Foodservice products of the year (9 June) at the prestigious BFFF 2016 Annual Awards.

Organised by British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), the glittering awards were the highlight of the trade association’s annual gala dinner dance at the London Hilton on Park Lane hotel. Sponsored by the Yearsley Group and NewCold, the awards are recognised as the frozen industry’s top accolade.

This year’s competition received a record number of entries from across the industry with 13 category Gold Award winners announced in both the retail and foodservice categories on the night.

Iceland Foods swept the board in the retail categories, winning three gold awards as well as claiming Retail Product of the Year for its ‘Slimming World’ Chicken Tikka Masala.

The Deeside-based retailer won in every one of the six categories, and has been rewarded for their huge investment in creating genuinely innovative new products to delight consumer needs.

In the foodservice categories, Pacific West Foods Coconut Coated Prawn Skewers took the Product of the Year title. The six other gold award winners included Bidvest Foodservice, which claimed two golds in the Best Bakery and Best Desserts categories and Newberry International Produce, Oliver James Foods, KK Fine Foods and Bar Foods.

Now in their twenty ninth year, the Frozen Food Awards are unique in that the retail winners are chosen by a panel of UK consumers and the foodservice awards are chosen by members of the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs.

Commenting on the awards, Brian Young, BFFF chief executive said: “This year’s awards are a real triumph for Iceland. and its collaboration with Slimming World.

“All of the finalists should be rightly proud of their achievement. This year we have had a record number of entries. The quality of products submitted for judging has been outstanding and once again, demonstrates the on-going innovation and creativity of frozen food producers.

He added: “Consumers and caterers continue to recognise that frozen food is nutritious and tasty as well as providing value for money, minimal waste and convenience.”