Food & Drink Awards: Meet our expert judges from Suffolk and Cambs

The ribbon has been cut on our super-sized Velvet Food & Drink Awards for 2025. With nominations already pouring in for all 24 categories - 12 in Suffolk and 12 in Cambridgeshire - it’s time to introduce the industry experts faced with the tough task of choosing the winners. . .

Rowen Halstead: Chef and sustainability advocate: Michelin-trained chef Rowen Halstead has spent the last 13 years honing his culinary skills in some of the country's most experienced kitchens. After witnessing first-hand the immeasurable amount of avoidable food waste that can be produced due to a lack of knowledge, concern and creativity, it opened his eyes to the importance of reducing our food waste, creating a more sustainable food system, and how integral zero-waste cooking practices are if we want to support a future for food. Based in Suffolk, it has become his goal to put his experience in the industry towards advocating and educating others about the food waste we produce, utilising and preserving what we can, and its overall impact on our planet and the economy. Rowen is judging Sustainability Hero for both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. @wastenotrowen/wastenotrowen.co.uk

Giles Luckett: Freelance wine writer: Giles has been in the wine business for more than 30 years. He started his career at Harrods before moving on to several other leading merchants and brokers, including Laithwaites, Fine and Rare, and Laytons. Based on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border, for the last decade, he's focused his attention on writing and is a regular columnist, content marketer and blogger, and he recently joined the Velvet roster. Passionate about all wines, he has a particularly soft spot for Champagne, Rioja, Bordeaux, and Madeira. He is judging Pub/Bar of the Year for both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. @thewinewriteruk

Vhari Russell: Founder of The Food Marketing Experts: Vhari has been involved in the food and drink industry for more than 25 years, working with key importers and distributors, and focusing on branded and own-brand products for many leading retailers. She has experience in a wide variety of sectors including NPD for Waitrose, Tesco, and licensed products for Country Living. Vhari started her own business in 2011 and is the founder of The Food Marketing Experts, a full-service food and drink marketing agency. In addition, Cambridgeshire-based Vhari set up Grub Club Events, which runs networking events for food and drink professionals, as well as the rewilding charity Creating Nature's Corridors. Vhari is a judge for the Great Taste Awards and Quality Awards and has also acted as a mentor for platforms such as Virgin Startup and Enterprise Nation. She is judging Food Producer of the Year for both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. @thefoodmarketingexperts/thefoodmarketingexperts.co.uk

Steve Webb: Cocktail bartender and influencer: Better know as Steve the Barman, Steve Webb has been a cocktail bartender for almost 30 years and has run his own business since 2012. Says Steve, who lives in Cambridgeshire: “I'm known for my Hen Party Cocktail Masterclasses (plus the odd Divorce Party), my YouTube channel and weekly live show. I love to educate and make cocktails accessible for everyone. I teach people how to put fun and unique twists on those famous classic cocktails: why have a boring Margarita, when you can have a Spicy Guava & Hibiscus Margarita? My mantra is ‘faff-free, fun and easy cocktails’. No mixology. No geekery. I make cocktails fun for everyone… even the non-drinkers!” Steve is judging Beverage Producer of the Year for both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.@stevethebarman/stevethebarman.com/hello/youtube.com/@StevetheBarmanUK

Charlotte Smith-Jarvis: Founder of Suffolk Food Stories and CopyTaste: Based in Suffolk, Charlotte Smith-Jarvis is a seasoned food expert with more than 20 years' experience as a food and drink and features editor. In addition to writing for national press, Charlotte runs her own food-based marketing and restaurant consultancy business, CopyTaste, and the not-for-profit website, Suffolk Food Stories, shining a light on all the delicious happenings in the county. She is judging Hotel of the Year for Suffolk. @thegreedyfoodeditor/CopyTaste.co.uk/suffolkfoodstories.substack.com

Jenny Jefferies: Food Journalist and Cookbook Writer: Jenny Jefferies is a South Cambridgeshire-based farmer’s wife, mother of two girls, an award-winning cookbook author, food columnist and producer/presenter. Jenny compiled the successful and award-winning book series For The Love Of The Land and For The Love Of The Sea. Jenny’s most recent book - Islands In A Common Sea: Stories of Farming, Fishing and Food Around The World - has just been published globally. Jenny is an Ambassador for Love British Food, The Country Trust, Eco Ewe and the Farmers Guardian and is a member of The Guild of Food Writers, The British Guild of Agricultural Journalists and writes regular online articles for Country & Town House magazine, a monthly food column for the Cambridge Independent and articles for Rural Life magazine. Jenny produces and presents her own weekly radio show, Your Voice, on Black Cat Radio 102.5FM which is all about food, farming and fishing. She is judging Hotel of the Year for Cambridgeshire. @jennyljefferies/jennyjefferies.co.uk

Lilian Hiw: Private chef, cookery school founder and food columnist: Lilian Hiw is an award-winning private chef, cookery school owner, food columnist and cookbook author. She is also involved in food and business development consultancy, recipe development for the food and health industries and project management. She was named Private Chef of the Year and Cookery School of the Year at the London & South East Prestige Awards for four consecutive years. Based in Suffolk, she grew up in Singapore and is classically trained in catering and hotel management with L'École hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland. Lilian’s career has included roles as Training Officer at the Singapore Hotel & Training Centre, Lecturer in Hospitality at West Suffolk College, Vice President of the Tung Lok Group restaurant chain and Catering Manager at Raffles Singapore. Lilian is judging Restaurant of the Year for Suffolk. @lilianhiw/lilianskitchen.co.uk

Gerla de Boer: Founder of Cambridge Food Tour: Gerla de Boer, the founder of the Cambridge Food Tour, is a big supporter of local indie businesses. Her culinary journey began at a young age when she first started experimenting in the family kitchen. Not long after, she found her other passion: travel. With her extensive background in hotel management, the hospitality and retail industry, and food development, she decided 13 years ago to share her love of Cambridge with visitors and locals, inviting them to experience the city through the eyes of a foodie. Gerla is judging Restaurant of the Year for Cambridgeshire.@foodiegerla

Riadh A. Falvo: Founder of Cambridge Chocolate Festival: As a chocolatier, Riadh has led chocolate tastings and guided pairings both online and in person at various events throughout Cambridge. She was, until lockdown, the head chocolatier and teacher of chocolate-making classes at Cambridge Cookery School and is the founder of the Cambridge Chocolate Festival as well as her own boutique chocolate brand, Bumble & Oak. Before moving to the UK, she regularly collaborated with chefs on menus, mixologists on cocktails, and organised chocolate events across Canada. Riadh has also been a food reviewer and regular contributor to Velvet magazine. She is judging Tearoom/Coffee Shop of the Year for both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. @camchocofest/bumbleandoak.com

Tine Roche: Cambridge Cookery School MD: Having grown up in Denmark and Sweden before moving to London in her mid 20s, Tine initially worked for the Swedish Chamber of Commerce from where she joined a large branding agency working for leading Scandinavian food producers. Tine, who also trained at the renowned Leith School of Food & Wine, worked as a futures trend analyst, tailor-making global fact-finding trips for large food producers. On a visit with clients to San Francisco 15 years ago, she stumbled upon a corporate cookery event and had an epiphany, going on to found Cambridge Cookery School in 2008. Powered by a highly experienced team of Cordon Bleu and Leith's trained teaching chefs, the school runs classes for the general public and hosts corporate events. Tine is judging Chef of the Year for both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. @cambridgecookery/cambridgecookery.com

Ben Hutton: Chef, restaurant owner, PT, blogger and podcaster: Ben is a passionate chef, restaurant owner and personal trainer in Bury St Edmunds with a love of supporting local businesses. After years of working with local suppliers and eating in independent restaurants, he launched Fork Yeah, a food blog and podcast. His aim is to showcase great independent businesses and highlight the difficulties within the industry that they face. Ben spends most of his time in the kitchen at Queens Bar & Grill, but also promotes easy recipes online alongside health and fitness ‘top tips’, runs a little cookie shop called Crumbs and produces homegrown lamb, pork and veg for his menu. Ben is judging Hospitality Hero for Suffolk. @thefittfoodie/@forkyeahuk/queensbse.co.uk

Anne Beamish: Founder of Indie Cambridge: For more than 13 years, Anne has been a passionate campaigner for local independent businesses – valuing their huge contribution to both the cultural and economic richness of Cambridge and beyond. With her background in publishing, Indie Cambridge began as an annual book to celebrate independent businesses. It has since grown into a membership organisation which continues to promote ‘the indie scene’ as well as supporting the owners of small businesses through various membership activities. Anne is also the editor of The Indie magazine, a biannual publication showcasing the members of Indie Cambridge. Knowing that the personal touch is something independent businesses are in a unique position to offer, she is keen to champion their hard work in creating a top-quality experience for their customers. She is judging Hospitality Hero for Cambridgeshire. @indie.cambridge/indiecambridge.com

Kat Lawson-Phillips: Co-Founder of Artefact Brewing: With a background in marketing and business development, Kat has helped to start and run a small, artisan, award-winning craft beer microbrewery in Suffolk. Passionate about great food and drink and independent producers, Kat knows what it takes to create an outstanding product and build a business. From trading at local food and drink events to organising Artefact's own annual beer festival, good beer and good street food often go hand in hand! Her first time judging in the Velvet Food and Drink Awards, Kat brings a great perspective as a fellow producer. Kat is judging Street Food/Pop-up of the Year for Cambridgeshire.@artefactbrewing/artefactbrewing.co.uk

Hannah Gregory: Chef, food writer and founder of TACOR: Since winding up as a MasterChef quarter finalist, Suffolk's Hannah Gregory has worked as a private chef, a freelance food and travel writer and, as of last year, is the founder of her own taqueria, TACOR in Bury St Edmunds. Hannah is known to Velvet readers as the magazine's contributing recipe writer. Having eaten her way around East Anglia, the wider UK and, indeed, the world, she is bringing a wealth of knowledge to the table. She is judging Street Food/Pop-up of the Year. @tacor_taqueria

Michelle Alston: Founder of The Last Food Blog: A fulltime food blogger, Michelle’s recipes have been featured in The Guardian, TheJournal.ie and MSN. Originally from Ireland, Michelle studied Nutritional Coaching at the Irish Health Institute, gaining a diploma in Diet, Health and Wellness Coaching. She moved to Cambridgeshire 10 years ago with her family and shortly after that started The Last Food Blog. Michelle is focused on creating vegan and vegetarian recipes which are seasonal, family-friendly and accessible to all. She will be judging Farm Shop/Deli of the Year for Cambridgeshire.thelastfoodblog.com

Tammy King, Award-winning retailer, hotelier and spa owner: With extensive expertise in the hospitality, spa and retail industries, Tammy has successfully run a thriving hotel and spa chain while founding two independent retail businesses. “Currently, I work with a renowned British fashion brand, where a keen eye for detail and a commitment to exceptional customer service is paramount,” she says. “My background in retail and hospitality has given me the experience to recognise quality and innovation in business. In today's competitive landscape, I understand the importance of standing out, thinking outside of the box and really knowing your customer, staff and community.” Tammy is judging Farm Shop/Deli of the Year for Suffolk. linkedin.com/in/tammy-king-486407136/

Karen Harvey MBE: Creative director and social entrepreneur: Cambridgeshire-based Karen Harvey MBE is a creative director and social entrepreneur with a focus on considerate consumption and the environment. She was featured on the Future Icons Power People list 2025, one of 50 innovators who are actively shaping a more sustainable, equitable, and compassionate world. Her NGO Toiletries Amnesty,, which fights both hygiene poverty and beauty industry waste, was listed by Natwest in the SE100 - the top 100 social enterprises in the UK. Karen also writes about food and travel, including for Metro, City AM and Homes & Antiques. In 2024, she edited and selected the Shutter Hub Editions FOOD STORIES book. Karen has won UK Food blogger of the Year and served as a judge for the Bellevita Italian food awards in London. She is judging Food Hero of the Year for both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. @harveyhotdog/@shutter_hub/@toiletriesamnesty

Nominate Now!
This year’s Velvet Food & Drink Awards are twice the size, with two sets of awards, one for Suffolk and one for Cambridgeshire, running side by side. With 12 categories to choose from, spanning everything from cafes, bars, hotels and restaurants to shops, street food, producers and individual industry heroes, we’re asking you, our readers, to nominate your favourites in both counties. Nominating is easy: simply head to velvetfooddrinkawards.co.uk, hit either ‘Cambridgeshire’ or ‘Suffolk’ on the homepage and fill in the swift nomination form, telling us what makes your favourite/s stand out from the culinary crowd. You’ve got between 1am on January 28 2025 and midnight on May 2 2025 to get your nominations in. The three businesses or individuals with the most nominations in each category will be shortlisted, with independent industry experts then judging and choosing the winners, all announced at ceremonies in June.

With thanks to:

Headline sponsor: Cambridgeshire

Headline sponsor: SuffolkVelvet Food & Drink Awards 2025: Suffolk - in partnership with Thomas Ridley FoodserviceImage3515978Velvet Food & Drink Awards 2025: Suffolk - in partnership with Thomas Ridley Foodservice

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