The food Reader Awards shortlist: Local food hero

As we prepare to announce the winners tonight at the ABode in Exeter, here are those shortlisted for an award in the food Reader Awards (sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers) in the local food hero category (sponsored by Fermoys):

Rick Stein

Everyone’s favourite travelling foodie, Rick’s globe-trotting and accompanying TV series and books have inspired millions to cook. His Food Heroes directory helped define the local food revolution, and he puts his principles into practice at his and Jill’s Padstow empire of wonderful restaurants, cookery school, fish and chip shop, deli and hotel.

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Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has taken on the some the biggest in the industry in his fight to improve the way that we buy, rear, catch and cook food in this country. His River Cottage TV series has spawned a number of highly successful books, as well as the River Cottage Canteens, cookery school, and River Cottage HQ near Bridport.

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Michael Caines

Two Michelin-starred Exeter-born chef Michael Caines is not only known for his fabulous cooking at Gidleigh Park and The Bath Priory, but also for the ABode hotel group, his TV work, charity and community activities and for being the driving force behind the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink.