The benchmark of excellence
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The Life Food Awards celebrate the people, businesses and organisations doing exceptional work. Explore the categories and help recognise someone shaping the future through their achievement, leadership and impact.
Life Food Awards
Deli of the Year Award
Shelves full of the best local food.
About this category
This award recognises an independent delicatessen whose range, knowledge, service and support for local producers stand out. Judges look for what the deli stocks, how staff advise customers and its place in the community.
Eligibility
Open to independent UK delicatessens.
Judging criteria
- Range and quality
- Support for local producers
- Staff knowledge
- Customer experience
- Business results
Qualitative criteria
A shop where every shelf has a story.
Metrics
- Share of local producers
- Range
- Customers
- Growth and reviews
Additional criteria
Entries should include a short description of the business and its products, photographs where helpful, supporting figures such as sales, stockists, growth or awards, and, where possible, comments from customers or stockists. Shortlisted producers may be asked to send product samples for tasting. Figures can be given as ranges and nothing in an entry is shared beyond the judging panel. Every entry must meet food safety and labelling law. Judges consider the size and stage of every business, so a kitchen table maker competes on equal terms with an established brand.
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