The Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop has been announced as a finalist for Farm Shop of the Year in the prestigious Farm Shop & Deli awards celebrating the best in class in the specialist independent retail sector.
Up for the national title of ‘farm shop of the year, large retailer finalist’, the Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop has been selected following evaluation, deliberation, secret visits and mystery shops by the judging panel of industry experts.
The category winners will be revealed at the Farm Shop & Deli Show, NEC, Birmingham at 3.15pm on Monday 24th April 2017 along with the coveted Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year.
Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop manager André Birkett said: “We are extremely proud to be selected as a finalist for the award. Having the hard work and commitment of the team recognised in such a way is very rewarding. I believe that the quality of our produce and our dedication to customer service have played a large part in this achievement.”
Chair of Judges Nigel Barden, Co Chair of Judges Elaine Lemm, Holly Shackleton, Editor of Speciality Food and Jamie Hall, Neal’s Yard Dairy are just some of the 2017 Farm Shop & Deli Awards judges who faced the difficult task of whittling down the category finalists this year.
Nigel Barden, Chair of judges, said: "It’s a joyous journey visiting the awards’ finalists around the UK and, with the standards being so high, it’s the attention to detail that really makes the winners stand out. It’s also apparent when staff have been well trained and crucially enjoy their work. Inspired, informed and enthusiastic folk behind the counter make a shopping experience so much better. It’ll be a privilege to hand over the accolades at the Farm Food Shop & Deli Show on 24th April and to witness the look on the winners’ faces that clearly illustrates how all their teams' hard work has paid off.”
Now in its fourth year, the awards celebrate the very best standards, levels of service, product innovation and community involvement in the sector.
For more information, visit www.chatsworth.org
