Food Northwest Awards

Had a grand day out judging the Food NorthWest Awards.
Apart from getting stuck in horrendous traffic on the M6 and arriving late, it was great to catch up with so many people and try all the different products.
There were so many entries judging had to be divided up which resulted in some envious glances to those who scored the cake section.
We tasted goat, venison and ice lollies and the list can go on and on.
It is amazing how much great stuff there is out there and it is great that they are recognised with their own awards.
It was also great to catch up with old friends and make new ones, who were on our judging table. One of our judges had to leave early as he needed to pick up some stuff for his imminent wedding, so best wishes for the day to him.
Then the awards ceremony was in the evening so i bumped into producers such as the brilliant Neale's, who come to Wirral Farmers Market.
Then I treated myself to a stay at the absolutely fantastic Northcote Manor. More about that later, but as usual the food was sublime and the atmosphere so nice. I had a ground floor room with its own little pation to sit on and enjoy the view and the sunshine. I wish i could have stayed longer.