Indie Füde shortlisted in Shop of the Year 2018

 

The Guild of Fine Food’s annual Shop of the Year awards, an accreditation which recognises and promotes excellence in independent retail, has announced its shortlist for 2018 and Indie Füde is among those in the running for the Best Delicatessen award! Having had our written entry reviewed by a panel of respected industry experts, we will now undergo two further rounds of judging this summer, including an announced visit from one of the judges and a mystery shop by Shopper’s Anonymous!

Previously forming part of the Great Taste accreditation scheme, Shop of the Year has evolved to apply an even more rigorous and robust judging process dedicated solely to retail. Celebrating delis, farm shops, cheesemongers and more, Shop of the Year offers independent retailers a chance to achieve a stamp of approval with real integrity, much like Great Taste does for food and drink products.

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From the overall shopping experience and financial performance to staff training opportunities and environmental initiatives, the panel of highly experienced judges, which includes Edward Berry of The Flying Fork, Stuart Gates, who has worked for both Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, award-winning retailer Tracey Colley and Georgina Mason from Gonalston Farm Shop, will rate, score and feedback on every aspect of Indie Füde before agreeing on an overall category winner.

“We are delighted to have made the Shop of the Year shortlist, and feel it’s a fitting start to an exciting time ahead in our new, purpose built retail space on Castle Street, Comber.

Johnny and I are both passionate champions of our local produce – and are chuffed that The Guild of Fine Food has decided that our shop, that only stocks products from the beautiful and bountiful island of Ireland, is among the best in the UK and Ireland.

We hope that both our mystery shopper and judge are as charmed by our local makers as we are. And are infected by even a little of our excitement for the produce we showcase here at Indie Füde ” Laura, Business Owner.

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On Thursday 20 September, Shop of the Year 2018 will reach an exciting finale when the world of fine food gathers at No. 42 Southwark Street, the Guild of Fine Food’s London base, to find out the winners of Best Delicatessen; Best Farm Shop or Garden Centre with Food Hall; Best Grocer, Village or Community Shop; and Best Specialist Cheese Shop.

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