April 2006

Retailers line up to talk turkey

Retailers are being urged to put their weight behind British Turkey to make the industry’s 2006 annual awards the biggest and best yet.

A shake-up of categories will allow retailers to showcase the way they are responding to changing consumer demands, such as convenience cuts and added value products.

Kim Burgess, chairman of the British Turkey Sector Group Publicity and Marketing Committee, said: “We also have a brand new category for the Best Innovative Product to reflect the huge number of very different and exciting British turkey products now available.”

The most coveted award is likely to be Retailer of the Year, last year won by Asda. Said Burgess: “This award truly proves that turkey is not just for Christmas. It incorporates retailers’ seasonal ranges and specific products for occasions such as Chinese New Year, Mother’s Day, summer eating, barbecuing and Easter and bank holiday celebrations.”

A panel of independent judges, chaired by Woman & Home editor Jane Curran, will test the products for taste, quality, innovation, packaging and pos support.  For the first time, the panel will also include a member of the public, chosen in a national ballot. Said Burgess: “It is the consumer who chooses, buys and eats the products so we thought it was only right that a representative of these consumers should help judge the entries.”

Winners of the 13 awards, will be announced at a James Bond themed black tie charity dinner at Claridge’s Ballroom, London, on September 21st, with entertainment by superstar Brian Conley.

The full list of categories is:

  1. Best Added Value Product
  2. Best Christmas Product (whole bird, joint or added value)
  3. Best Accompaniment
  4. Best Barbecue Product
  5. Best Branded product
  6. Recipe Writer of the Year
  7. Best Primary – Whole bird
  8. Best Innovative Product
  9. Butcher of the Year
  10. Best Catering Product
  11. Chef of the Year
  12. Best Ready-to-Eat Product
  13.  Retailer of the Year (best overall retail range)

Award winners will be able to feature a specially designed logo on pack.

Click here for entry forms/further details, contact turkey@fml-pr.co.uk or call 01273 834716.

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