Yorkshire Wagyu announced as regional winner in national competition

The team at Driffield specialist beef business, The Yorkshire Wagyu Company is celebrating after reaching the final of an awards scheme whose judging panel is chaired by Dragon's Den star, Deborah Meaden.

The Yorkshire Wagyu Company was identified by the judging panel as one of 11 promising young businesses to be shortlisted for the finals of Local Business Accelerators (LBA) - the regional press campaign to boost local business.

In addition to LBA ambassador, Deborah Meaden, the judging panel comprised CBI acting director for competitive markets Tom Thackray, Mail on Sunday small business editor Vicki Owen, ICAEW business director Stephen Ibbotson, Local Media Works chairman Craig Nayman, and News Media Association deputy chief executive Lynne Anderson. The businesses were judged on criteria including originality of the business idea, finances, contribution to the local community and communication skills.

From the 11 shortlisted businesses, one will be crowned the overall winner of the competition and benefit from a prize package that includes business mentoring from Deborah Meaden, whilst The People's Choice Award will be decided on a public vote that ends on 21^stMarch. To support your local business and vote for The Yorkshire Wagyu Company, visithttp://www.localmediauk.org/Public-Voting. The winners of both awards will be announced on 31^stMarch.

The Yorkshire Wagyu Company director, Jonathan Shepherd is delighted to be shortlisted: "This is a very prestigious award that has its roots in the heart of the local community and boasts a high calibre judging panel. We are very proud just to have reached the shortlist."

Wagyu beef originates from Japan where it is renowned for its exceptional flavour, melt in your mouth tenderness and its high levels of ‘good' monounsaturated fats that give the beef its characteristic marbling. ‘Wa' means things that are Japanese and ‘gyu' means cattle or beef. 

Ends

For more information or to arrange an interview with Jonathan Shepherd, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on

Direct line: 01430 871360

Mobile: 07971 961574

E mail:traceybaty@three60 marketing.co.uk

Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. The Yorkshire Wagyu Company is based at Field House Farm in Tibthorpe.

2. For more information about Yorkshire Wagyu, please visithttp://yorkshirewagyucompany.co.uk/,www.twitter.com/YorkshireWagyu,www.facebook.com/yorkshirewagyu

3. For more information about the LBAs, please visithttp://www.localmediauk.org/Public-Voting