Bel UK hosts London heats of British Sandwich Designer of the Year Awards

The crème de la crème of the South East’s sandwich makers gathered at Bel UK last week, to battle it out in the London heats of the British Sandwich Designer of the Year Awards.

The awards recognise the major contribution of those involved in creating new recipes, which are vital in maintaining consumer interest and therefore the future of the industry. 

Claire Whitfield, senior concept developer at Greencore, was crowned the winner of the Smoked Port Salut Cheese Sandwich of the Year category, sponsored by Bel UK and The Cheese Cellar. She impressed the judges with her creative Smoked Port Salut with maple smoked bacon and apple and wholegrain relish sandwich recipe.

“It’s the first time I’ve entered the awards so it’s fantastic to have made it through to the finals, particularly as the standard of the other entries was so high. Smoked Port Salut is a great product for sandwiches; it has a beautifully subtle smoked flavour and a deliciously creamy mouthfeel.  The pre-sliced format also makes it really easy to work with,” commented Claire.

The panel of expert judges, which included Bel’s chief executive Jean-Noel Darniche and representatives from each of the category sponsors, Moy Park, Alaska Seafood, English Provender and Oasis, scored each of the entries on there creative and commercial merits.

The category winners from each of the four regional heats will gather to compete at the finals at the Lancaster Hotel, London on 19 May 2011.

Winners

The Cheese Cellar Bel UK Smoked Port Salut Cheese Sandwich of the Year – Claire Whitfield, Greencore

Moy Park Chicken Sandwich of the Year – Sumaya El Kroni, Greencore

Alaska Seafood Salmon Sandwich of the Year – Nicola Buckingham, Chartwells and Tom Holland, Raynors

English Provender Ploughmans Chunky Tomato Chutney Sandwich of the Year – Frank Boltman, independent restaurant consultant

Oasis Citrus Punch Sandwich of the Year – Chris Rai, Chapati Man