A-listers to battle it out for supremacy

The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEA) shortlist for achievement has been announced.

Contenders include: Greencore Grocery, Heinz and Veetee Foods in the Ambient & General Groceries category and Greencore Cakes, Peters Food Service, Premier Foods and Rich Products in Bakery & Confectionery.

Aimia Foods and Framptons go head to head in beverages, while Greencore Chilled Soups and Sauces, Greencore Sandwiches, Mash Direct and TSC Foods vie for the Chilled Ready Meals & Prepared Foods category.

Kerrygold, the First Milk Cheese Company and Yeo Valley Organic are shortlisted for the Dairy Award, while Stubbins Marketing and Southern Salads battle for Fresh Produce.

Greencore Frozen Foods and Heinz go head to head for the Frozen Food Award while the Big Prawn Company, Green Gourmet and Lossie Seafoods contend for Meat, Poultry and Seafood.

Shortlisted firms are eligible for the Judges' Special Award and Small Company Award and one winner will be named Company of the Year. Six rivals will vie for the Personality of the Year Award.

In the Skills Excellence Awards, KK Fine Foods/Reaseheath College and Premier Foods/Poultec Training are sparring for the Apprenticeships award. Fosters Bakery (Staincross) and Greencore Group are in the ring for the Productivity Through Skills Award. Gibsons Foods and Greencore Prepared Meals are in the final for Diversity in Recruitment Award.

The winners will be announced on November 13 at The Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square. To book a table, call Helen Law on 01293 846587 or email helen.law@william-reed.co.uk.