2025 Award Categories

Apprentice of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Apprentice award is open to individuals who are currently on an apprentice scheme in F&D production.
  • The judges are looking for individuals who demonstrate ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success. The nomination can be made by a line manager, HR representative or college tutor.
Artisan Business of the Year
  • The Welsh Artisan Business category recognises a Welsh artisan food or drink producer who has the wow factor.
  • The judges are looking at the following areas; Artisanal quality of product, skills and methods together with provenance of ingredients, How you tell your story through branding and presentation, Originality of product and innovation, Sustainability. How much your product stands out from the competition.
Business Resilience Award
  • This award recognises those food and drink producers/manufacturers, which react quickly to the changing global and financial situations to survive and indeed thrive.
  • The judges are looking for; Evidence of how their business model has been adapted to achieve results, Evidence of a flexible business model already in place which enabled them to absorb external impacts to the food and drink industry, Accessed funding streams and used these in an inventive way, Strongly motivated and empowered staff, Embraced technology in an innovative way.
Drinks Producer of the Year (over 5 employees)
  • Are you the Drinks Producer of the year in Wales with over 5 employees? This award recognises a Welsh drinks producer that has consistently made a real impact in the Welsh drinks sector.
  • The judges are looking in the following areas; Quality of product and provenance of ingredients, How you tell your story through branding and presentation, Originality of product and innovation, Sustainability. How much your product stands out from the competition.
Small Drinks Producer of the Year (less than 5 employees)
  • Are you the Drinks Producer of the year in Wales with 5 or less employees? This award recognises a Welsh drinks producer that has consistently made a real impact in the Welsh drinks sector.
  • The judges are looking in the following areas; Quality of product and provenance of ingredients, How you tell your story through branding and presentation, Originality of product and innovation, Sustainability. How much your product stands out from the competition.
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Entries and nominations are accepted for Entrepreneurs leading the way in Welsh food and Drink sector. The Wales F&D Entrepreneur award will recognise those individuals who have shown the desire to succeed with their own ideas and have had the ambition to turn those ideas into a successful business.
  • The judges will be looking for an outstanding individual who can best demonstrate exceptional vision and leadership and personality in the development of their own business.
Exporter of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Exporter of the year award is open to any Welsh food or drink producer/ manufacturer that is trading overseas.
  • The judges are looking for evidence of a detailed internationalisation strategy, growth in overseas markets and a commitment to improving export performance.
Farm to Fork Producer of the Year
  • Have you developed a food or drink product from field/farm to fork?
  • This category will showcase what farmers and manufacturers with strong Welsh farm supplier partnerships are doing to grow and diversify the agriculture sector in Wales. You will need to be able to describe your farm to fork approach, and judges will be keen to understand your plans for growth, the sustainability of the product and commercial impact on the business.
Food Producer of the Year
  • Are you the Food Producer of the year in Wales? This award recognises a Welsh Food producer that has consistently made a real impact in the Welsh food sector at scale.
  • The judges are looking at the following areas; Quality of product and provenance of ingredients, How you tell your story through branding and presentation, Originality of product and innovation, Sustainability. How much your product stands out from the competition.
Innovation Award
  • The Wales F&D Innovation Award recognises those food/ drink producers or manufacturers that have achieved growth through innovation driven entrepreneurship.
  • For this category, innovation is broadly defined and could include technology, product or process innovation.
Local Community Award
  • The Wales F&D local Community award recognises those Welsh businesses that have made a real difference to their local community.
  • The judges are looking for examples of making a difference; by volunteering, by overcoming adversity, by raising awareness of a particular issue, or by organising an event that has improved the quality of life for the residents in the community.
Rising Star of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Rising Star of the Year award is made to individuals in their first 5 years in the Food and drink industry.
  • The judges are looking for individuals within food/ drink production or manufacturing who demonstrate ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success.
Scale-up Company of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Scale up Company award recognises those Welsh businesses that can demonstrate high rates of growth and industry-leading innovations, while making a significant impact in the food and drink sector.
  • The judges are looking for food and drink businesses that have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
Start-up Company of the Year
  • The Wales F&D start-up award aims to celebrate and support the food and drink industry’s newest producers/manufacturers. Entrants to this award must be independent and have been trading for up-to a maximum period of three years on 22nd May 2025.
  • The judges will be looking for real passion, a strong plan, an innovative product or service and exceptional forecasts for further growth.
Sustainable Values Award
  • The Wales F&D Sustainable Values award will recognise and celebrate industry change-makers and brands that focus on eco-friendly food and drink production.
  • The producers/manufacturers will be judged on their sustainable approach to the supply chain and look for ways to demonstrate an environmental and socially aware attitude.
Wales Food & Drink Champion of the Year
  • Are you a true Champion of Welsh food and drink? Is supporting Welsh suppliers and producers at the heart of everything you do?
  • You will need to describe how you proudly and passionately 'fly the flag' for the quality of Welsh products and producers as well as their communities. Judges will want to hear how you encourage the wider public to love Welsh food and drink and to understand its origins.

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