THE ORGANISERS of Burnham-on-Sea Food and Drink Festival are in high spirits after they were shortlisted in two categories at the Western Daily Press Food & Farming Awards.

Eat: Festivals, which organises food festivals in Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Wellington has been shortlisted as the 'The Best Food/Farmers Market' in the South West. 

Beverley and Sarah Milner Simonds, organisers at Eat: Festivals were also shortlisted for 'outstanding contribution to local food development'. 

Bev Milner Simonds, co-organiser of Burnham Food and Drink Festival, said: "We are elated to have made the finals in two categories.

"The festivals are a real celebration of each town and their great producers - we bring together the ingredients and hopefully, add a bit of sparkle. "What we aim to do is not only create a great free day out but help people to reconnect with the productive countryside around them.

"We were immensely proud to have been recognised in last years awards for our contribution to the local food scene and are humbled to have made the shortlist again."

The festival organisers have previously been shortlisted for the award and will be attending a glittering ceremony at the Rookery Manor Hotel in Weston-super-Mare on May 9 to find out if they have been victorious.

James Heappey, MP for Burnham-on-Sea was quick to praise the festival organisers.

He said: “Eat Food Festivals do so much more than flog great food.

"They celebrate the talent of our local farmers, the brilliance of our food producers and they encourage the community to support those industries by choosing local produce to eat and drink at home.

"In Burnham-on-Sea, I’ve seen the festival grow and grow to the point that the two festivals each year are real highlights for residents and visitors alike.

"That support has been won by Bev and Sarah’s focus on showcasing the best regional food and drink, alongside competitions, demonstrations and entertainment that makes the festival a great day out for people with all tastes and budgets.

"That guaranteed footfall makes these festivals an important platform for emerging local products.”

This is the third year that the Western Daily Press has held its own food and farming awards which they say are designed to celebrate the hard work of farmers and food producers in the West Country.

Gavin Thompson, editor of the Western Daily Press said: “Our food and farming industries are major employers in the West, providing livelihoods for many people, but they are so much more besides, our farmers are the guardians of the countryside.

" Our food producers, pubs and restaurants are among the reasons so many people visit and love this region.

"The Western Daily Press Food and Farming Awards are about celebrating that and recognising the creativity, determination and toil of the individuals and organisations which make those industries successful.

"Farmers and the food and drink industry face uncertainty over Brexit, with policies on farming subsidies and trade still unknown.

"But they have the ingredients to thrive and through these awards, we hope to shine a spotlight on some of the best."