Tradition is all very well but it takes a dramatically forward-thinking approach to make it work as a business in the 21st century.

It�s this combination of tradition and innovation � mixed up with a good measure of quality and commercial sense, plus a pinch of passion - that connects the winners of the second annual Deliciouslyorkshire Awards, organised by the Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber (RFGYH).

RFGYH executive director Karen Carlyle said: �The winners epitomise all that�s best about Yorkshire food and drink producers, retailers and providers.

�Yorkshire�s produce continues to be among the most innovative and delicious in the country and our awards celebrate the passionate, driven people behind that exceptional produce. The job of the RFGYH is to support food and drink companies in the region and our annual awards ceremony enables us and our members to step back from the hard work and take a well-deserved pat on the back.�

Karen led the independent panel of expert judges, which also included food and wine writer Elaine Lemm, TV cook Annie Stirk, ASDA local sourcing manager James Dodds, chef Andy Gabbitas, Greencore finance director Richard Bales and Yorkshire Agricultural Society marketing manager Fiona Movley.

But choosing the winners wasn�t an easy task, as Karen explained: �We�ve really been inundated with quality entries this year and the judging became pretty heated at times. The consumption of regional foods has really flourished in the past few years and I�m determined that Yorkshire companies continue to be at the forefront of that trend.�

The gongs were handed out at the group�s annual awards dinner, held last night (Thursday 2 November) at The Merchant Adventurer�s Hall in York. Diners were treated to an impressive three course meal, sourced from Yorkshire, using Regional Food Group members produce.

The winners are:

1. Most Innovative Product sponsored by Rollits Solicitors

Winner: Voakes Pies for Pork Pie with Black Pudding & Red Onion Marmalade Based in Whixley, near York, Voakes Pies is renowned for its pies, made using pork from its own herd of pigs. The family has farmed for more than 40 years and diversified into pies to take the business into the 21st century. New product pork pie with home-made black pudding and locally-sourced red onion marmalade was praised by the judges for its taste, quality, use of regional ingredients and absence of chemical additives. Runners up: Stamfrey Farm Organics (West Rounton, Northallerton) for organic yoghurt Side Oven Bakery (Driffield) for organic honey roast muesli

2. Yorkshire Product of the Year sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society Winner: E Oldroyd & Sons for Yorkshire rhubarb Wakefield-based E Oldroyd & Sons has become synonymous with Yorkshire rhubarb, attracting praise and media attention from around the world for its traditionally-grown forced rhubarb. The family has been in the business for five generations and even offer tours of the mysterious forcing sheds, where the stalks are still grown in the dark and harvested by candlelight.

Their success has almost single-handedly raised the profile of a crop � and an industry - that had fallen out of favour with consumers. This rhubarb is a Yorkshire treasure and Oldroyd�s are ensuring it has a future.

Runners up: Side Oven Bakery (Driffield) for sour dough bread Stamfrey Farm Organics (West Rounton, Northallerton) for clotted cream

3. Best use of regional produce in a menu sponsored by Moorsfresh Winner: The Pipe and Glass Inn, near Beverley. Impressed by their flair, passion and innovative use of Yorkshire produce, new comer to the restaurant scene, the South Dalton based Pipe and Glass narrowly beat Green�s of Whitby to win this category. Filey born James Mackenzie sources locally�packing his menu full of local delights including locally landed & smoked haddock, black pudding and rhubarb cr�me brulee.

Runners up: Green�s of Whitby Boutique Catering, Leeds

4. Deliciouslyorkshire Breakfast scheme member sponsored by Askham Bryan College

Winner: Low Penhowe, Burythorpe, nr Malton How do you fancy a breakfast of free range eggs from the garden, kippers from Bridlington, home-roasted York ham, muesli from an organic farm in Driffield, bacon from Elvington, sausages made in the next village, home-baked bread made from local organic flour, butter from the Dales, jam made by friends and relatives and home-grown tomatoes? All cooked on the Aga in a traditional Yorkshire stone-built farmhouse, with stunning views across the Howardian Hills, the Yorkshire Wolds and across to the North Yorkshire Moors. The judges did, which is why Philippa and Christopher Turner won first prize for their B&B Low Penhowe, a member of the Deliciouslyorkshire Breakfast Scheme, aimed at promoting and celebrating Yorkshire produce to all visitors. Runners up: Stoney End Holidays, Worton, Leyburn Kings Square Caf�, York

5. Large producer of the year, sponsored by Yorkshire Forward

Winner: Mackenzies Yorkshire Smokehouse, Blubberhouses Mackenzies Yorkshire Smokehouse was established by Peter MacKenzie in 1986. The business was originally run from premises in Harrogate but in 1990 moved to its present site in Blubberhouses, where a factory and factory shop had been in evidence since 1935. In 1997 the business was failing and was purchased by Robert and Stella Crowson. The business has grown significantly over the subsequent years and is now recognised as the largest specialist smokehouse in Yorkshire and a major employer in this rural location. Mackenzies Yorkshire Smokehouse produce a comprehensive range of smoked and cured meats, fish and cheese. Over the years the company has painstakingly expanded its range of products and continually improved its processing techniques to bring it to where it is today, a company much respected in the market place.

Runners up: Debbie & Andrew�s Sausages, Thirsk Holme Farmed Venison, Sherburn in Elmet

6. Small food producer of the year, sponsored by Fosters Bakery

Winner: Stamfrey Farm Organics, West Rounton, Northallerton

The rapid growth of the Stamfrey Farm brand and the cheerful ease with which Sue and Angus do business belie the hurdles they�ve overcome to reach this position. They took the brave step of �going organic� in 2001 � no easy task in itself. But when the price of organic milk fell and foot and mouth advanced to within 50 yards of their farm gate, the stark truth hit them: they had to innovate or go under. Innovate is what they did�and continue to do. Their Yorkshire clotted cream now graces the tables of Betty�s and farmshops across the county and the development of an organic breakfast yogurt make Stamfrey Farm exemplary Yorkshire producers.

Runners up: Wold Top Brewery, Driffield Peacocks Desserts, Thirsk

7. Best marketing Campaign, sponsored by Sycamore

Winner: Debbie & Andrew�s, Thirsk

The Debbie & Andrew�s brand certainly stand out from the crowd of sausage producers. A few years ago their sausages marketed under the Manor Born label with beloved by those in the know, but over looked in the competitive market of the supermarket shelves. Their re-branding exercise impressed the judges with the clarity of thinking. They�ve thought hard about their customer, stuck to their roots and have a strong belief in their products. Runners up: Daleside Brewery, Harrogate Love Bites Supreme Sandwiches, Bradford

8. Independent retailer, sponsored by Yorkshire Life magazine Winner: Lewis & Cooper, Northallerton

Lewis & Cooper are proud of their retailing heritage, dating back to 1899 � and rightly so. Still a family business, the Northallerton store has won hosts of awards, including the gold Great Taste Award (the Oscars of the food business) for their handmade plum puddings, generously laced with Hennessey cognac.

Judges were impressed by this long established business that is constantly evolving to create a unique atmosphere. Lewis & Cooper are firmly committed to local sourcing and making a special �Yorkshire� shopping experience.

Runners up: Blacker Hall Farm Shop, Wakefield Weeton�s, Harrogate

9. Farmshop of the Year, sponsored by Mackenzies Yorkshire Smokehouse Winner: The Farmer�s Cart, York Good quality fresh food raised and grown on the farm with a wide selection of home-grown fruits and vegetables, home reared meats and baked goods. The shop has an award winning delicatessen counter offering a variety of Yorkshire cheeses, pates, freshly baked pies and quiches whilst the farmhouse kitchen and caf� provide a range of freshly baked bread, cakes, scones and biscuits. The Farmer�s Cart has displayed a consistent commitment to supporting and retailing quality regional produce.

Runners up: Marr Grange Farm Shop, Doncaster Blacker Hall Farm Shop, Wakefield Release ends

For more information contact:

The Regional Food Group for Yorkshire & Humber on 01937-830354 or email elizabeth@rfgyh.co.uk Or Jennifer Middleton at Lemon Zest on 01757 268283 or email jennifer@lemonzestpr.co.uk