IMAGINATION. INSPIRATION. INNOVATION.

from Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Magazine - June/July 2023 - Issue 216

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These are just some of the attributes which make PAPA Award winners stand out from the crowd. We’re on the hunt for the people and products which are propelling the industry forward.

With the launch of this year’s awards – the 34th for those keeping count – we are pleased to announce a wide range of categories spotlighting retailers, restaurants, delivery outlets, suppliers and producers.

Take suppliers, for instance

The Italian Style Food Award is open to any ingredient or food item which presents chefs or consumers with something that fires their creativity. Entries could be anything which sits in the gap between a basic ingredient and finished dish. That could be a new cheese blend, a delicious sauce or, like last year’s foodservice category winner, a pasta shape with a purpose.

Every PAPA award means the world to usit’s a little bravissimo that energises the team to continue innovating and sometimes ‘renovating’ - searching out rare shapes and recipes to reintroduce to the wider public!

Bradlee Moore, La Tua Pasta Italian Style Food Award (Foodservice) Winner

This award may be presented for both the foodservice and retail sectors, as is the case with another of our supplier categories, the Italian Style ReadyMade Main Meal Award.

Every day is independent’s day

It would be easy to think that these kinds of national awards are just for the big guys, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The retailer section of the awards highlights independents in each of the three categories: Italian restaurant, pizza restaurant and pizza delivery.

Shifting focus

Both of those awards have been revised for 2023.

Winning means a lot to us. Mainly because it shows that our hard work is recognised and appreciated, which is a huge boost to move forward and work even harder.

The newly named Community & Social Responsibility Award aims to retain the spirit of its predecessor in rewarding efforts made by companies to have a positive impact on their community; to put social responsibility at the heart of their operations or to improve the environment around them.

As well as independent retailers, smaller companies triumphed in two other categories at last year’s awards, with big wins for the little guys in the Community Award and Business Development Award.

Meanwhile, the Business & Product Innovation Award has a much broader scope than previously. Clever marketing or technical initiatives, new software systems or any other non-food product will be considered in this category, which may be divided into subcategories depending on the entries received.

We’ve worked so hard to get to this stage and it means so much to receive this recognition. It really gives us all such a boost.

William

And

then?

Keep reading for details of each of the award categories and how to enter.

The closing date is 9 August 2023 and judging will continue through late summer. Shortlists will be published in October, ahead of the winners being announced at the PAPA Industry Awards Dinner on 9 November 2023 at the Royal Lancaster, London.

2023 pizza, pasta & italianfood assoc

Entries and nominations are invited for each category. Full details of the entry requirements for each are available at www.papaindustryawards.co.uk

Major Chain Pizza Delivery Award

All of the major high-street names in the pizza delivery sector are potential winners in this category.

Italian Restaurant Award

There’s something about Italian food which makes it so perfect for communal eating – and this award is presented to those Italian restaurants bringing food, families and friends together across the nation.

Manufactured Pizza Award

With this award there’s something for everyone. The judges will consider both everyday and premium entries, presenting the award to the best new manufactured pizza.

Chilled Pizza Multiple Retailer Award

Presented to the multiple retailer whose performance has driven sales in the chilled pizza sector.

Independent Pizza Restaurant Award

The pizza restaurant is a firm favourite with the British public when it comes to dining out. Wth many superb independents to choose from, this award recognises the best of them.

Italian Style Ready-Made Main Meal Award

An award for new, ready-made Italian style main meal dishes.

Pizza Restaurant Chain Award

The pizza restaurant is a firm favourite with the British public when it comes to dining out, and this award looks at the ever-popular chains to recognise the best on the high street.

Italian Style Food Award

An award for food products or ingredients bringing something new and inspiring for chefs to use when creating their menu.

Business & Product Innovation Award

A broad category focusing on innovation. This could take the form of technical or marketing initiatives; software, apps and ordering systems; packaging, equipment or other non-food products.