Food news: Award win for store that celebrates Yorkshire

Mr Pickles’ Yorkshire Food Emporium, based on Abbeydale Road, triumphed over independent retailers from across the county in the Yorkshire Life Food and Drink awards.

Independent judges visited each retailer or restaurant entered into the awards - which have been running for 23 years - and staff hope the win will help to promote Sheffield as a destination for food-lovers to visit.

Paul Widdowson, the owner of Mr Pickles’, said, “I can only assume that one of our fantastic customers put us forward for the award because the nomination came completely out of the blue. “To then win the category and be named Independent Food Retailer of the Year is fantastic.

““This award is particularly special to us because Yorkshire Life send out independent judges to scrutinise nominations and each retailer or producer is judged on merit rather than popularity. So winning is fantastic recognition of the team’s hard work and dedication to the business.

“It also shows that the judges understood, and liked, what we do.”

“Of course the win is great for Mr Pickles’, but it’s also good for Sheffield and I hope it will encourage others to view the city as a food destination.

“We’re lucky to have some amazing producers in the city and I think we have a lot to offer to the Yorkshire food scene.”

From local food to beer, as next week the Steel City Beer and Cider Festival returns to Kelham Island Musuem.

Scores of Sheffield breweries are taking part in the event, which will also feature live music, and a massive 250 beers, as well as 40 ciders, between October 19 and 22.

This year the festival fundraising began early with online auctions of festival beermats, raising almost £100 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Beermat collectors have also been seen visiting local pubs in the hope of assembling a full set.

Paul Crofts, from Sheffield CAMRA, said “It’s great that such a simple piece of advertising for the festival has attracted so much interest and started the ball rolling on our collection for the hospital.

“Anyone missing one of the full set can always visit the festival to see if they can find one there, and of course there will be ample opportunity to further donate.”

Visit {http://www.sheffieldcamra.org.uk/festival/Sheffield Camra|click here}