Lesley Waters will host Chesterfield’s sixth annual Food and Drink Awards on Wednesday 31st October.

The event is organised by Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield College and awards in 15 categories, including Chesterfield’s Food Hero.

Lesley said: “There is a real passion amongst food and drink businesses in the area for using locally sourced produce. As well as supporting local business, it’s about using fresh ingredients and creating great food. I firmly believe the best food is made with passion and there is plenty of that in Chesterfield.”

The awards ceremony is held at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building, where Chesterfield College’s catering and hospitality students, will both cook and serve a two-course meal on the night to more than 250 people as part of their learning experience.

Lesley said: “Having worked in education myself as a former Head Tutor of Leith’s School of Food & Wine and now owning my own cookery school, it is very exciting to see Chesterfield College and its budding chefs of the future so actively involved with the town’s foremost food and drink event.”

“There is a real passion amongst food and drink businesses in the area for using locally sourced produce. As well as supporting local business, it’s about using fresh ingredients and creating great food. I firmly believe the best food is made with passion and there is no lack of that in Chesterfield.”  

35 businesses and individuals are shortlisted in the 2018 awards, with 12 businesses taking part for the first time and 13 hoping to retain their titles from 2017. This year, the awards also see the introduction of two new categories recognising the vital role apprentices and their employers play in the Chesterfield’s food and drink sector.