TONIGHT is the night when we salute our magnificent farmers and food producers and providers!

Starting at 7pm (Thursday) on the Hereford Times Facebook page, an exciting celebrity-studded ceremony will reveal 2021’s heroes of our food and farming industries.

The show lasts for about an hour, and will be hosted this year by TV personality and antiques expert Kate Bliss, herself Herefordshire born and bred and a champion of all the county offers.

“We should be immensely proud of what our farmers are doing. We are so lucky to have such a rich choice of produce so close to home,” she said.

Joining Kate to celebrate the achievements of all our finalists we have a glittering line-up of celebrities wanting to add their congratulations to ours.

On hand to help create a memorable evening will be TV chef Rosemary Shrager; presenter and former Bucks Fizz legend Cheryl Baker; comedians Henning Wehn, Jason Manford and Hal Cruttenden; Celebrity Masterchef winner Matt Dawson; actors Lesley Joseph and Tracy-Ann Oberman; Strictly star Debbie McGee and music stars Lee Mead and Suzanne Shaw.

This year’s awards celebrate the very best of Herefordshire’s food-related industries – from the farmers producing the great meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables we enjoy to the imaginative and creative chefs adding their magic in the county’s restaurants, cafés and tearooms.

Also in the running for an award are businesses transforming Herefordshire’s bounty into everything from award-winning spirits and cordials to beautiful breads, delicious ice creams, crisps, charcuterie and more.

The range of entries to the awards, the first in which we’ve combined farming and food-related businesses, was testament to the extraordinary diversity of all those who work in the sector.

How to watch the show

We recommend that you watch live, but don’t worry if you can’t... the video will stay on our page to watch later. Get the most of out the evening by watching with friends where you can do so safely, and by sharing your messages, pictures and videos on social media.

Don’t forget to arrange some drinks and nibbles. If you have a potential winner in your party you might even want to put a couple of bottles of bubbly on ice just in case!

You can view the show on a PC, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Some TVs also give you access to Facebook. You do NOT need an account (or profile) with Facebook to be able to watch.

Don’t just watch the show – take part too!

The video will be streamed in a Facebook post that you can share with your friends and neighbours.

You can also add your comments, emojis and photos.

Send your best wishes to the nominees and congratulations to the winners, tag family and friends to bring them into the fun, share pictures of your celebrations if someone you know wins an award, and show your appreciation as often as you can for our wonderful winners.

You can also join in the fun on Twitter and Instagram. You won’t be able to watch the awards ceremony on those platforms, but you can certainly post messages of support and share your celebrations. Use the hashtag #HTfoodandfarmingawards.

Thirteen awards, including one for Overall Achievement, will be made tonight, all recognising the dedication and professionalism of our farmers, the passion and commitment of our food producers and providers.

  • Watch the awards here

WATCH LIVE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE WORTH £450

AS an added bonus, if you watch the awards in real time, you’ll also have the opportunity to enter a great competition being run in conjunction with this year’s chosen charity, the Addington Fund.

Anyone making a donation to this unique agricultural charity on the night will be entered into the prize draw for a Tate Herefordshire hamper worth £100 and a family photo shoot worth £350 with the Addington Fund’s professional photographer Abby Cohen.

So, set your alarm for 7pm, log in to the Hereford Times Facebook page and celebrate this year’s winners.