THE voting has officially begun for this year’s Hampshire Farmers’ Markets Producer Awards.

Award winners are chosen entirely by the public and include five categories – Best Food Product, Best Drinks Producer, Best Hot Food to Take Away, Best Personality, and Best Food Initiative.

This year’s awards ceremony takes place on September 22 at the Brookfield Hotel in Emsworth, as part of the celebrations surrounding British Food Fortnight, which runs from September 17 to October 2.

Andy Mackenzie, executive chef at the Exclusive Chefs Academy in Hampshire, will be the guest presenter at the awards ceremony. Following a celebration dinner for the nominees and winners, he will hand out the trophies to the producers coming out top.

“I was very pleased to be asked to present this year’s awards,” said Andy. “I have had the pleasure of working with many of the producers at Hampshire farmers’ markets and look forward to celebrating their successes with them on the night. I know first hand what it means to receive recognition from your customers, so if you want your favourite to win, be sure to vote.”

Mike Smales, of Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers, won the award for Best Personality in 2015.

“For us to win a Producer Award last year was a nice bonus. We have been trading in the markets for 17 years now and have a lot of loyal customers, who turn out rain or shine, and their support is essential for the whole organisation,” he said.

You can vote for your favourite producer in each category either at your local Hampshire farmers’ market on the voting forms provided or online at hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk. Voting closes on September 7 and market visitors’ voting forms will be entered into a prize draw for two tickets to the awards dinner.

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets runs a regular market in Alton, Petersfield, Odiham and Winchester.