NORTON Barton Artisan Food Village in Bude is going head-to-head with Clipper Teas from Beaminster, Dorset to win the Regional Growth Business Award (South West) in the industry-leading Food and Drink Federation Awards.

The two shortlisted companies represent the best of the South West and are drawn from opposite ends of the region, emphasising the quality of food and drink manufacturing present right across the area.

Norton Barton Artisan Food Village is one of two sites in Cornwall awarded Food Enterprise Zone status in June 2015.

The site is home to award-winning artisan producers Cornish Charcuterie (hard and soft charcuterie), North Coast Cider and Popti Cornish Bakehouse (savoury biscuits and snacks). Production is in small batches primarily using home-reared meat and locally sourced ingredients.

Owners Richard and Fionagh Harding are developing a centre of food excellence at Norton Barton Artisan Food Village with a view to creating good quality full-time jobs in an area which suffers from skill shortages and is highly dependent on seasonal employment.

The awards will showcase and celebrate the best of food and drink businesses from right across the UK.

These firms are a cornerstone of the food and drink industry and have been recognised for the fact that they are making such a valuable contribution to the success and future of the sector.

Finalists will gather together with their peers and colleagues on Thursday, September 22 for a gala evening at The Brewery, London to recognise the industry’s achievements and to hear which finalists have been successful.

As well as acting as a platform for the industry, the evening — which will be hosted by broadcaster and presenter Hardeep Singh Kohli — will enable guests to come together and discover more about the many innovations underway in food and drink in the UK.

Ian Wright, director general, of FDF, said: “We value the importance and contribution of our regional growth businesses within the food and drink industry and are proud to support and foster the brand names of tomorrow as they establish and develop.

“The South West contains some outstanding food and drink businesses and Clipper Teas and Norton Barton Artisan Food Village represent the cream of the region’s talent.

“It is a real pleasure to see such a diverse range of food and drink represented in the shortlist, and I would like to say thank you to our sponsor, entrants and judges for their efforts.

“We look forward to welcoming the finalists, guests and supporters to an evening that we are sure will be a wonderful showcase for our industry’s strength, expertise and endless creativity.”