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The new Nourish Awards applauded by UK's top nutritionists as Dragon's Den Deborah Meaden puts her voice behind the clean eating issue
If you have ever wondered where to get advice on real, healthy nourishing food that can be enjoyed by those with allergies, intolerances as well as health food advocates following a vegan or paleo lifestyle, then check out the winners of the first ever Nourish Awards.
Winners of the Nourish Awards were announced on Friday 21 September at a packed Awards Ceremony held at Cheltenham Race Course where some of the UK's top nutritionists were joined by food entrepreneurs and those wanting to celebrate healthy free-from food in the UK.
Judges like Dragon's Den Deborah Meaden commented, ""The whole clean eating issue has never been more important for personal health and wider indications for the planet. I thought it was really important to get involved. My position on Dragon's Den means that I have a voice and should use it.
"I have often talked about the issue of clean eating to friends but my role in helping to judge the Nourish Awards means I can have the chance to support it publicly."
Hosted by nutritionist, author and River Cottage teacher Naomi Devlin - dubbed the Nigella of Gluten-Free - the Nourish Awards are designed to raise awareness to the amount of refined sugar and artificial additives that's in our food by rewarding the most nutritious, innovative and healthy food and drink options that also need to be delicious too.
Over 100 entries were judged by a professional panel based on nutritional qualities, ingredients, taste, texture and overall tastiness. All entries were required to be free from gluten, dairy and refined sugar - with a few exceptions - and also to be free from artificial additives, sweeteners and flavours enhances.
Split into two sections comprising various Category Awards and then Special Awards which focused on Organic, Ethical and Innovation, the judges had their work cut out. Some up and coming brands were pitched against more established brands with new healthier products.
Diana Murphy, founder of the Nourish Awards, commented, "It was important to us to celebrate not only people but also our environment; respecting and preserving our natural resources are crucial to our health and wellbeing. Therefore we decided to present two Special Awards to those who our judges found to be the most committed to organic and high ethical standards.
Winners of the Ethical Special Award were The Raw Chocolate Company for their Organic Chocolate Almonds. Heart of Nature was awarded the Organic Special Award for its original gluten free bread, a healthy loaf made without the use of flour or yeast which also took first prize in its individual category of Savoury Bakes. The Innovation Award has gone to Upfull - for their delicious nutty granola that turns into a wonderfully creamy porridge when hot milk is added right in the packet - a great meal option on the go.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Organic Entry
Heart of Nature - Original organic gluten free bread
Best Ethical Entry
The Raw Chocolate Company - Raw organic chocolate almonds
Innovation Award
Upfull - Nutty mix-up bag on the go
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS (result of the public vote)
1st Purition - Dairy free vanilla & protein powder
2nd Perfect World - Mint chock chip vegan ice-cream
3rd Wild Trail - Carrot cake veg, fruit & nut bar
WINNERS OF THE CATEGORY AWARDS
WINNERS (1st place)
Soft, health & beauty drinks
The Turmeric Co. - Ginger infused Turmeric shot
Savoury bakes & bread mixes
Heart of Nature - Original organic gluten free bread
Soups
Watmuff & Beckett - Thai carrot & sweet potato soup
Ingredients
Hunter & Gather - 100% avocado oil mayonnaise
Sweet snacks
Freee by Doves Farm - Organic banana oat bar with hemp
High protein & sports nutrition -
Sponsored by Visionary Food Solutions
That Protein - Nutty nutty peanut butter super protein
Virtue Drinks - Sparkling energy water lemon & lime
Hot drinks & broth
Sweet Revolution - Instant turmeric latte
Dairy free ice cream
Perfect World - Mint choc chip vegan ice cream
Sweet bakes & cake mixes
Creative Nature - Organic chia & cacao brownie mix
Savoury snacks
Pep & Lekker - Seed snack with fennel & sunflower seed
Juices & smoothies (unpasteurised)
The Turmeric Co. - Ginger infused turmeric shot
Breakfast
Nature's Path - Organic sprouted cocoa & coconut superflakes
Ready meals & snack pots
Upfull - Nutty mix-up bag on the go
Dairy free milk & cheese
Sponsored by Free From Festival
The Walnut Gatherer - Organic vegan roasted garlic cheese
Dairy free desserts
Freaks of Nature - Vegan choc caramel cheesecake
Dairy with a difference (dairy was permitted in this category)
Mount Olympus Pure Foods - Goats' Kefir
For Children
Pulsin - Kid's Fruity oat bar orange choc chip
Raw & Superfoods
The Saucy Affair - Smokey Cokey raw sauce
Gut Friendly & Fermented
Soulfresh - Lo Bros organic ginger & lemon kombucha
Sprouted
Nature's Path - Organic sprouted cocoa & coconut superflakes
Made to Order & Small Produces
Sponsored by Fiona Scott Media Consultancy
Primal Bakers - Paleo cake & bread selection
The Wild Card
Rejuvenated - Beautycake collagen protein cake
COMMENDED AWARD WINNERS (2nd place)
Juices & smoothies (unpasteurised)
Purearth - Our love will never kale - raw organi kale juice
Soft, health & beauty drinks
Soulfresh - Lo Bros organic ginger & lemon kombucha
Breakfast
Upfull - Nutty mix-up bag on the go
Hot drinks & broth
CAO Kitchen - Classic raw cacao chocolate spread (that makes hot chocolate)
Sweet snacks
The Raw Chocolate Company - Raw organic chocolate almonds
High protein & sports nutrition
Sponsored by Visionary Food Solutions
Pulsin - Chocolate flavoured pea protein powder
Eat Grub - Cricket powered blueberry & almond energy bar
Savoury bakes & bread mixes
Good Grain Bakery - Organic seeded loaf
Savoury snacks
Ocean Crown - Smoked mussels in rapeseed oil
Pasta
Freee by Doves Farm - Organic red lentil penne
For Children
My First Savse - Organic, cold pressed carrot & pumpkin baby food
Raw & Superfood
Liberty loves - Raw millionaire's chocolate tart
Ingredients
CAO Kitchen - Classic raw cacao chocolate spread
Gut friendly & fermented
Mount Olympus Pure Foods - Vegan Ginger Kefir
Made to Order & Small Producers
Magdolna's Paleo Cakes - Paleo cake selection
The Wild Card (refined sugar was permitted in this category)
Funky Nut Company - Dark chocolate & apple snack pack
MERIT AWARD WINNERS (3rd place)
Soft, beauty and health Drinks
Purearth - Sparkling spirulina & lemon water kefir
Sweet snacks
Wild Trail - Carrot cake veg, fruit & nut bar
Savoury snacks
Wilding's - Peking flavour duck crackling
High protein & sports nutrition
Sponsored by Visionary Food Solutions
Purition - Dairy free vanilla protein powder
Savoury bakes & bread mixes
Recipe Architects - Vegan, low-carb flat bread mix
Davina Steel / Manna Vida - Garlic & rosemary focaccia kit
Raw & Superfoods
Purearth - What a shottie beauty shot
Gut friendly & fermented
Inspiral - Organic berry boost protein clusters
Ingredients
Hunter & Gather - Cold pressed extra virgin avocado oil
Juices & smoothies (unpasteurised)
Savse - Super Green raw smoothie
The Wild card (refined sugar was permitted in this category)
Willow Cottage Kitchen - Free-from celebration cake selection
Picture Captions:
Upfull who won the innovation award, also won the Ready Meals and Snack Pots category and commended in the Breakfast category.
Diana Murphy, founder of the Nourish Awards with host Naomi Devlin
For further information on the Nourish Awards, visit: www.nourishawards.org
Further press information from Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114; M/: 07960698089 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk
Sept 2018 (FFM 02)
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