IN LESS than a week Somerset producers will find out if they are winners at the first Taste of Somerset Awards.
On Tuesday, finalists, guests and sponsors will attend a ceremony hosted by celebrity chef Peter Gorton at Haselbury Mill.
Last week the shortlists for six of the awards were revealed. Here, the finalists for the remaining five categories are listed.
BEST FOOD PRODUCER
Bath Soft Cheese is produced at an organic dairy farm by a family that has been happily milking a herd of cows for four generations.
Yeovil-based Biscuit Base started when 20-year-old Joshua Stone found a recipe for 100-year-old stone-baked shortbread in his grandma's loft.
Mendip Moments makes luxurious ice cream by hand in small batches on the family dairy farm near Wells.
INNOVATION
Bush Farm Catering was set up earlier this year to offer high-end catering at festivals and events using produce from its own farm.
At a time when some pubs and bars are closing Early Doors Cider & Ale Barn has reversed the trend by taking a derelict farm shop and converting it into a new pub and cafe.
When Chris Lugg bought Olives 'N' Stuff in July 2012 it was struggling to make a profit. Now it also has stalls at markets including Yeovil and Frome Farmers Markets, and Bath Artisan Markets.
FOOD OR DRINK BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Thatchers Cider. The Thatcher family first began making cider on their farm in Sandford 100 years ago to pay its workers. Now it has around 400 acres of orchards and makes 20 different products.
Wraxall Vineyard faces the Mendip and Quantock Hills and has the perfect location for growing a variety of grapes that capture the very essence of English wine.
The traditional art of distilling from apples, last recorded in England in 1678, has been revived by the Somerset Cider Brandy Company which now produces a range of more than 14 products.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL FOOD DEVELOPMENT
As well as being a cafe, Love in a Cup, at Tytherington, also sells food for customers to take away.
Apple Tree Farm Shop, at Brimsmore Garden Centre, has a team that is committed to bringing good, local food to the community, stocking Somerset producers, lots of which are right on their doorstep.
The Somerset Cider Brandy Company – as above.
BEST DRINKS PRODUCER
Perry's Real Somerset Cider is a free-thinking craft cider company that likes to make craft ciders as naturally and as simply as possible – using the very best fresh apples, small batch techniques, wild yeasts and 100 per cent juice.
The Somerset Cider Brandy Company Ltd – as above.
Wraxall Vineyard – as above.
Solicitors Humphries Kirk LLP, which has offices across Somerset and Dorset, is sponsoring the Innovation category.
Partner Katharine Jones said: "Humphries Kirk is extremely proud to highlight how companies across Somerset are using innovative ways to run businesses."