At the heart of all things local

in association with

Sponsorship Pack

At the heart of all things local

Dear Potential Sponsor,

The food, drink and hospitality industry in Somerset and Dorset is among the best in the country. That is why here at Western Gazette Media we intend to celebrate the fact by holding the Western Gazette Taste Awards in September this year.

The aim of the Western Gazette Taste Awards is to highlight the strength of the food industry in Somerset and Dorset and those in the hospitality industry that serve wonderful food and drink with exceptional service. Our vision is to share and celebrate the very best business success in the area, raising the profiles of local companies and to increase networking opportunities.

Our Gala Presentation Night will be held at Westlands Conference and Leisure Complex, on 8th September 2014. The event will showcase business achievement and recognise innovative work that our food and drink producers carry out.

This document gives you a brief insight into the benefits of becoming a partner with us, in what we regard as an exciting opportunity to increase awareness and secure future growth of our region.

We hope you will support our initiative.

Kind Regards

Emma Slee Editor of Western

Gazette Media

At the heart of all things local westerngazette.co.uk/taste

At the heart of all things local

Title Sponsorship

£5,000 + VAT

• Main logo branding in print & online for the entire campaign

• Main logo branding to be included on all promotional material

• 4 page Supplement within the Western Gazette to be used within 4 months

of the event

• 10 tickets to the awards lunch and ceremony

• 5-10 minute Key Note speech at the awards ceremony

• Presents the overall Food and Drink Business of The Year award.

• All sponsors will be invited to a VIP Sponsors lunch after the event to

recognise their ongoing support of our events. Date and venue to be

confirmed.

At the heart of all things local westerngazette.co.uk/taste

At the heart of all things local

Category Sponsorship

£1,500 + VAT

• Logo branding in print & online for the whole campaign

• Full page advert in the Western Gazette to be used within 4 months of the

event

• Article in print and online championing your business

• Presentation of their chosen award

• 2 tickets to the awards evening and ceremony

• All sponsors will be invited to a VIP Sponsors lunch after the event to

recognise their ongoing support of our events. Date and venue to be

confirmed.

At the heart of all things local westerngazette.co.uk/taste

At the heart of all things local

Objectives of sponsorship

• Increase and maintain awareness throughout the Western Gazette readership area

• Inform and introduce potential new customers.

• Complement existing advertising and communications strategy.

• Raise company profile, within the business community and the community

at large.

Benefit of sponsorship

• Western Gazette reach 71,824* readers a week.

• Raise your company profile and brand awareness with an established and

trusted source of local business media.

All Titles Source: JICREG 1st Oct 2013

At the heart of all things local westerngazette.co.uk/taste

At the heart of all things local

The Categories Food or Drink Business of the Year An award for an inspiring individual or business – it could be an inspiring new product, an imaginative use of technology or an environmentally friendly food process. You tell us!

Outstanding Contribution to Local Food DevelopmentAn award recognising an individual or business based in the Western Gazette readership area, which has put the local area on the map through inspiration, energy, imagination and the use of local ingredients. Best Independent Cafe, Tea room or Snack bar Awarding the best independent cafe, tea room or snack bar in the Western Gazette readership area. We are looking for a cafe, tea room or snack bar that stands apart from others with particular emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. You may be located in the high street or serve a village community. Best Independent Food Retailer We’re interested in an imaginative initiative that’s changing the way good quality food and drink is being sourced and sold. It could be a wholesaler, website, or independent retailer that’s transforming your access to great local produce with an original idea. Where the entry is from a farm shop it must be at the heart of its community, selling the farm’s own produce and other local food products to regulars and visitors. Best Farm ShopAwarded to the best farm shop, at the heart of its community, selling the farm’s own produce and other local food products to regulars and visitors. Best Drinks Producer Awarded to the best Western Gazette drinks producer of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. The judges will look for the most interesting, best tasting genuine local drink. The two criteria are provenance and taste. Does the product taste good? Are some of the ingredients sourced or grown locally. If they are not local, is the production process entirely based in the Western Gazette readership area. How is the product marketed? Look at packaging, the website, use of social media, etc. . Best Food ProducerAwarded to the best food producer, producing the best fresh or processed/packaged food which may be sold from the farm, through a farm shop, farmers market , local butcher, local greengrocer or supermarket. The judges will be looking for provenance - this product must be primarily produced in the Western Gazette readership area, with local-sourced ingredients. Look at the packaging, website, marketing and use of social media. Does the product represent good value? Judges will want to test the knowledge, skill and passion of the producer. And they must taste the product. It’s all about the quality.

Best Restaurant or Dining PubThis category recognises the best restaurant or dinning pub in the Western Gazette readership area that draws customers because of the excellence of its food, with particular emphasis on locally-sourced seasonal ingredients. We are looking for a restaurant or dinning pub that stands apart from others and that can demonstrate an innovative and winning menu. This class is about the overall quality of the meal and the dining experience, with an emphasis on local provenance, the knowledge and skill of the staff, and the presentation and taste of the food. The judges will be looking for locally sourced ingredients that are seasonal, and identified as such. Are there any particular local dishes on the menu? Look at the wine list, and other available drinks - are there any local wines? Innovation This is an award for genuine innovation, that enhances the breadth of food and drink production in the Western Gazette readership area, and is an additional source of income for a local business. The product must be new and innovative but it must not be a novelty or gimmicky product. It must have become available for sale in the last 12 months – and the ingredients must be local where possible.

Best Start-up Food or Drink Business This award will be given to a company that has been launched, or has had a change of ownership within the past two years. The judges will be looking for a business that has evolved from an entrepreneurial approach applied in a creative business idea, such as, a unique business concept, addressing changes in industry practices, production of innovative products or services, or the discovery of a new route to market, or a business which has had a significant change of direction or momentum following a change of control.

Best TakeawayThis category recognises the great food that takeaways produce. It can be a fish and chip shop, burger restaurant, snack bar, sandwich shop, deli, ice cream van or even a café, pub or restaurant offering a takeaway service. There must be a focus on local producer and food that is cooked freshly to order.

Best Local PubThis category recognises the best pub in the Western Gazette readership area that draws customers because of its excellent drink and atmosphere, with particular emphasis on locally-sourced beverages. The judges are looking for the real “pub at the hub.” They will be looking first and foremost at the beers – there should be good draught beer that is well-kept. Are there guest beers? Are they local? Do the bar staff know about the beers, where they come, their relative strengths, etc. Are there any other local drinks – eg wines, or ginger beer. What does the pub offer its regulars – is there pool, darts, music, local papers, a quiet area for those who just want a drink and a chat. Is this pub at the heart of the community, does it host community events, does it provide villagers with wifi, etc.?

At the heart of all things local westerngazette.co.uk/taste