Winners of the BBC Food and Farming Awards have been announced in a ceremony hosted in Newport for the first time.

The BBC Food & Farming Awards were launched in 2000, to mark the 20th anniversary of Radio 4’s The Food Programme. The mission statement then – which remains true to this day – was “to honour those who have done most to promote the cause of good food”.

The Award ceremony returned to Wales for the second time and took place on Wednesday (25.11.2023) at the ICCW in Newport. The awards were judged and hosted by presenters including Thomasina Miers, cook, television presenter and co-founder of the Wahaca chain of Mexican restaurants, Jaega Wise, Sheila Dillon and Dan Saladino from Radio 4’s The Food Programme, food presenter Leyla Kazim and Star Farmer Will Young.

The winners were:

Best Food Producer: Cosyn Cymru (North Wales)

A dairy unpasteurised ewe’s milk cheese and creamy yogurt. To bring out the best qualities of the milk, all products are made by hand in small batches using natural ingredients, traditional methods, and plenty of patience.

Best Drinks Producer: Isle of Wight Distillery (Isle of Wight)

Inspired by their island setting, they use ethically sourced and local natural ingredients to create a range of premium, small batch gin, rum and vodka.

Best Streetfood, Takeaway or Small Eatery: Maasi’s (Cardiff)

Fresh and tasty Pakistani food cooked with fresh ingredients with an all-female team. Maasi’s, which means auntie in Punjabi was started by Sabrina Khan when her food became popular in lockdown.

Digital Creator: Becky Excell

Becky is a Sunday Times bestselling author and gluten-free cook with a huge community of people sharing gluten free recipes.

Farming for the Future with Farming Today and The Archers: Green Farm Collective

A group of regenerative farmers across England who have come together to set up a carbon and biodiversity investment community.

Food Innovation: Alexandra Rose

The charity aims to support low-income families by providing fresh fruit and veg through a voucher scheme and prescription scheme through GPs. The vouchers can be spent in local markets, helping the local economy.

Best Food and Drink Producer in Wales Award with BBC Cymru Wales: Peterston Tea (Vale of Glamorgan)

Peterson Tea grow speciality single estate loose leaf tea, hand-picked and processed in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Derek Cooper Outstanding Achievement Award: Chefs in Schools

Chefs in Schools’ mission is to employ professional chefs to improve the quality of school meals, whilst educating and inspiring children about the benefits of cooking their own food from scratch.

The Morning Live Community Food Champion

This will be announced on Morning Live 26 October on BBC One 9.15am

The Countryfile young Countryside Champion

This will be announced on Countryfile on BBC One Sunday 5 November 17.15pm

The Best Food and Drink Producer in Wales Award in association with BBC Cymru Wales was hosted by presenter Behnaz Akhgar and cook, author and dietitian Beca Lyne-Pirkis who said: “Being asked to present and judge this award was truly an honour as I love being able to highlight some of our very own food heroes. I’m really delighted that the Awards came to Wales again this year. It’s a brilliant opportunity to celebrate all the amazing things happening in this exciting and dynamic sector”.

Rhuanedd Richards, Director of BBC Cymru Wales, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Food and Farming Awards have taken place in Wales again this year. These awards are a platform for those who have worked incredibly hard to champion the cause of good food. I know I speak for the entire BBC Cymru Wales team when I say that we have loved hearing their wonderful stories and sensing the passion they have for the food they make. Congratulations to all our winners and nominees!”

Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths, said: “It’s great Wales has once again hosted the BBC Food and Farming Awards. A huge congratulations to all the participants and successful winners at the event, including the Welsh producers.

“Wales has a thriving food and drink industry, and I am particularly pleased such a variety of Welsh produce has been on show which demonstrates the commitment and desire our businesses have to be innovative and provide first-class quality products.”