Recognising the entrepreneurs behind the UK’s food and drink industries, there are winners
across 12 categories including Baked Goods Entrepreneur of the Year, Alcoholic Drink
Entrepreneur of the Year, Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year and People’s Choice Award.
Launched by the creators of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Food & Drink Heroes
recognises and champions entrepreneurs within the UK’s food and drink industry.
The full list of winners are:
Alcoholic Drink Entrepreneur of the Year
Ralph Broadbent | The Greater Good Fresh Brewing Co
Baked Goods Entrepreneur of the Year
Harriet Hasting | Biscuiteers
Confectionery Entrepreneur of the Year
Helen & Simon Pattinson | Montezuma’s
Export Entrepreneur of the Year
Paul Baker | St. Pierre Groupe
Health Entrepreneur of the Year
Helen Burgess | Little Cooks Co
Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year
John Fisher | Firepot
Non-Alcoholic Entrepreneur of the Year
Ed Taylor & Robyn Simms | Square Root
Restaurant Entrepreneur of the Year
Neil Potts & Rachel Hugh | The Vurger Co
Service Entrepreneur of the Year
Struan Robertson & Tim Gibson | Provenance Village Butcher
Start-up Entrepreneur of the Year
Jonathan Petrides | allplants
Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year
Pranav Chopra | NEMI Teas
People’s Choice Award
John Burke & Jon Hulme | Craft Gin Club
Nearly 100 founders and co-founders of 66 businesses were shortlisted across 11 categories.
UK food and drink is an international success story, exporting more than £23 billion of quality
products each year. Challenger brands make-up 96% of Britain’s total food and drink
businesses and these companies contribute to a highly significant £18 billion to the UK
economy.
The winners were determined by a panel of entrepreneurial and industry experts who assessed
their entrepreneurial story, rather than just their balance sheet, with the People’s Choice Award
chosen by a public vote from the full shortlist.
As part of the prize package, each winner will receive two branded cars from Food & Drink
Heroes’ premium partner, Adverttu for a four week period.
Adverttu turns heads into customers with its striking on-vehicle advertising, world-first digital capabilities and shadowfencing offering.
Founder of Food & Drink Heroes, Francesca James, said: “I want to offer my warmest
congratulations to each and every one of our winners. As a first year Awards programme, we
have been overwhelmed by the quality of entries, including those that weren’t able to make the
shortlist. It’s incredibly encouraging to see such a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs and businesses
operating in this space and doing so with such creativity and innovation during one of the most
difficult years they are ever likely to experience.”
Gareth Hobbs, managing director at Visionary Food Solutions, said: “I was blown away by the
applications for the Food & Drink Heroes awards. I didn’t think judging the awards would be so difficult, but the achievements of brands in the face of some real adversary was nothing but
inspirational. With entrepreneurs like these, I’m excited for the future of the UK’s food and drink
scene with some incredible innovation driven by brilliant leaders.”
For more on each winner, see Fresh Business Thinking.
