Two producers at the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre have made the shortlist of the HEART of ENGLAND fine foods Diamond Awards.

The Flavoured Butter Co and Coopers Gourmet Sausage Rolls have both made the final of the food and drink awards on their first time of entering.

This is the fourth annual Diamond Awards from HEFF, the food group for the heart of England, which celebrates the best of local food and drink from across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Birmingham and the Black Country.

More than 230 products were entered into this year’s awards in the 10 product categories of Bakery; Condiments and Preserves; Confectionery; Dairy; Desserts; Drinks; Fresh Produce; Meat, Poultry and Game; and Prepared Foods.

The Flavoured Butter Co is a finalist in the Condiments and Preserves category with its Tarragon, Dijon Mustard and Green Peppercorn Butter and Coopers Gourmet Sausage Rolls is a finalist in the Prepared Foods category for its Pork, Cranberries and Nuts Gourmet Sausage Roll.

The Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre is managed by HEFF on behalf of Shropshire Council.  Emma Cardwell of The Flavoured Butter Co was one of the first tenants to move into the Enterprise Centre after moving production from Denbighshire in order to expand the business.

Coopers Gourmet Sausage Rolls is a new business venture for Ivan Watkiss who started the company last December when he moved to the Enterprise Centre.

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Waste, Finance and HR, said: “It is fantastic news that both these businesses have been shortlisted in the Diamond Awards on their first time of entering, it’s a real testament to the quality of the products being made at the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre.”

Eleven other Shropshire producers have made the Diamond Awards shortlist. The winners will be revealed at the Diamond Awards Gala Dinner which will take place on Saturday 21 May 2011 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.  The winners of each product category will go head-to-head to win the highly coveted Special Diamond Award for TASTE which will be the final award to be presented on the night.

The evening will be hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Suzanne Virdee and will include a mouth-watering locally sourced dinner and awards presentation to celebrate local food and drink.  Tickets to this glittering annual event are now on sale at just £65.

For more information or to book tickets contact the HEFF office on 01743 452818.