Judging of the Oxoid 2003/2004 Food Awards has taken place and the winners have been presented with their prizes
Judging of the Oxoid 2003/2004 Food Awards, organised in conjunction with International Food Hygiene magazine, has taken place and the winners were presented with their prizes at a special awards dinner held at the Ardencote Manor Hotel in Warwickshire.
In the technician of the year category the first prize of œ1000 and a trip to the International Association of Food Protection meeting in Phoenix, USA, has been awarded to Andrew Snelson, site microbiologist at Cadbury Trebor Bassett, Wrexham, Wales.
Second prize went to Sarah Pengelly of Westward Laboratories, Callington, Cornwall, third prize to Gian-Marco Robbiati of Southern Salads, Tonbridge, Kent, and a highly commended award was made to Sam Kidd of Del Monte Fresh Produce UK, Thetford, Norfolk.
In the laboratory of the year category, the first prize of œ500 was awarded to Young's Bluecrest Seafood, Grimsby, second prize to Southern Salads, Tonbridge, Kent, third to Lyons Seafoods, Warminster, Wiltshire, and highly commended to Oscar Mayer (Rowan Foods), Wrexham, Wales.
The award for laboratory education and training was made to Toby Hattersley of Hazlewood Foods, Sheffield, who also received a cheque for œ500.
This is the third year that Oxoid and International Food Hygiene have organised these awards.
Commenting on this year's winners, Patrick Roberts, vice president sales and marketing at Oxoid said: "As one of the world's leading suppliers of microbiological diagnostic tests to the food industry, Oxoid is delighted yet again to present these awards to some outstanding individuals and laboratories whose work behind the scenes is really making a difference to standards of food hygiene and safety".
