The World Food Awards 2009 (WFA) announced nominations ahead of the inaugural awards ceremony on Saturday 31st October at London’s Park Lane Hilton. Nominees this year include big name brands like Tesco and ASDA in the Best National Retailer category, as well as established ethnic brands like Veetee and Kohinoor for Best Packaging. Levi Root's Reggae Reggae Sauce, of Dragon’s Den fame, has made the list for Best New Product, while world food industry veterans Meena and Kirit Pathak OBE and Sir Gulam Noon MBE are among those up for the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominations are:

World Food Award 2009 - Best New Product

Ashoka Olive Oil Pickles, ADF Foods Ltd Jamaican Patties, Caribbean Savouries Ltd/Caribbean Food Delights
Levi Root - Reggae Reggae Sauce

World Food Award 2009 - Best Packaging

Aisha's Original Recipe, Halal Range, Cofresh
Kohinoor Basmati Rice Bags, Indo European Foods Ltd
Veetee Dine In, Veetee Rice Ltd

World Food Award 2009 - Best Marketing Campaign

Heera Chappati Flour, P & B Foods
Reggae Reggae Subway
Wanchai Ferry, General Mills UK

World Food Award 2009 - Best Wholesaler

Donatantonio
Hyperama Wholesale
Wanis

World Food Award 2009 - Best Catering Supplier

3663
Eurofoods Group Ltd
JJ Food Service Ltd

World Food Award 2009 - Restaurant of the Year

The Cinnamon Club
Haandi
Haozhan

World Food Award 2009 - Best Independent Retailer

Quality Foods
Sira Cash Carry, Southall
V B & Sons

World Food Award 2009 - Best National Retailer

ASDA
Sainsbury's
Tesco

World Food Award 2009 - Top National Account Manager

Saj Noray, Cofresh Snack Foods Ltd
Yonas Tekle, Shana Foods Ltd
Zaff Khan of J K Foods Ltd

World Food - Lifetime Achievement Award

Meena K Pathak OBE & Kirit K Pathak OBE
Sir Gulam Noon MBE
Terry Butcher, Westmill Foods

This year's World Food Awards judging panel comprise of celebrity chefs Ainsley Harriott and Anjum Anand; David Moore, of BBC's 'The Restaurant'; Simon Numphud, Head of AA Services; Tony Matharu, Managing Director of Grange Hotels; Humayun Hussain, Editor of Tandoori Magazine; Kirti Mistry of BNP Paribas Fortis Bank and David Jago of Mintel.

Harry Dulai, of Surya Foods, co-organisers of the event with Sony Entertainment Television (SET) Asia said: "World food is a thriving industry that has been identified as one of the fastest growing areas within the UK retail market. We felt it was the right time for this industry to have its own awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate the talents of the people who work within it.

About the World Food Association

The World Food Association (WFA) represents the interests of UK companies operating in the ethnic foodservice markets, covering Asian, Oriental, Afro-Caribbean, East-European, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean products. The organisation prides itself on its ability to garner information and knowledge from the sector as a whole and use this insight to provide practical advice for the benefit of all members.

The WFA also aims to supports its members through advice on legislation and issues that affect industry and through education and networking events. The WFA’s mission is to bring together the world food market and become the leading voice of the UK ethnic food industry for the mutual benefit of all members – from food manufacturers to importers alike. Visit www.worldfoodawards.com for more details.