AN “A-list line-up” is set to judge the first street food awards in Hampshire.
The talented group of foodie judges have been hand-picked from the best, with names including previous MasterChef winners and a Britain’s Best Home Cook finalist.
Among them is Medstead resident and 2016 MasterChef winner Jane Devonshire.
She will be judging all things gluten – or, more accurately, all the food that’s free from it.
Jane has been cooking gluten free meals for the past 14 years to support her youngest son who was diagnosed with coeliac disease at the age of two.
She said she believes all food should be “inclusive and shared with friends and family” – which, after all, is what street food is “all about”.
The awards have been launched by Jeremy Gaskin, who owns and runs a crepe and coffee kitchen from a converted Citroen HY van.
“I’m so excited about welcoming these fantastic judges to the first awards,” he said. “They all have a huge amount of talent in different areas of food and I can’t wait to hear what they think of the brilliant vendors that are entering.”
The Hampshire Street Food Awards will be held in November. The categories are now open for vendors to register for the award that best suits the food and drink they offer – including best street food burger, best vegetarian or vegan food vendor and best newcomer or start-up.
Any profits from the awards will be donated to charities that help feed the homeless throughout Hampshire.
Joining Jane is expert food stylist and writer Susie Carter.
Susie specialises in creating seasonal recipes featuring local ingredients but also enjoys researching and discovering new flavours from across the globe.
As a food stylist, she has worked in making and arranging the food seen in magazine pages, on packaging, in adverts and has even won ITV’s Britain’s Best Dish with her smoked trout and watercress tart, made entirely from Hampshire-grown ingredients.
While fellow MasterChef winner (2008) Shelina Permalloo brings a wealth of knowledge in flavour and fragrance to the judging panel.