The natural and organic industry celebrated in style earlier this week when hundreds of retailers, manufacturers and industry supporters gathered at the Hammersmith Palais for the 13th Annual Industry Awards.

Britain’s best organic restaurant was named as The Austwick Traddock, in Austwick. The restaurant took its place alongside top names in the worlds of organic food and complementary medicine, which saw start-up enterprise rewarded and major strides from international brands.

The burgeoning growth of organic stores was recognised in a series of awards – Best Small Organic Store went to The Pillars of Hercules, in Fife, Scotland, while the large store award was received by Oliver’s Whole Foods in Kew Gardens, London. Healthfood stores, too, saw the spotlight, with Best Small Store going to the
Nutrition Centre, Cirencester, and Best Large Store “As Nature Intended”, Ealing, in London. Best New Store was Judges Bakery, in Hastings.

Another new award this year was the Best Organic Beauty Product, taken by Spiezia’s Lemongrass and Marigold Soap – from its base in Tregoniggie, Falmouth, the company has 100% certification from the Soil Association for its range of skin, body and homecare products using herbs, flowers and oils.

Other awards included:

Best New Organic Food Product – Green Green Tea, from Today was Fun Ltd
Best New Organic Non-Food Product – Omega 3 Oil from Viridian
Best Delivery/ Internet Service – The Well Hung Meat Company
Best New Packaging Design – Pangea Organics
Best Advertising / Marketing Campaign – Jordans Cereals
Best Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements product – Celadrin Soft Gels, from Solgar
Best Non Food Product - Suma Rose & Geranium Soap, from Suma Foods
Best New Product – Almond Balls from Bounce Snack Foods

The Nigel Phipps Memorial “Heart in business” award for integrity, motivation, and ethics went to Graeme Gunn of The Health Store, who coaches children in rugby. The Organic Businessperson of the Year award went to Bill Henry, Community Foods/ Killa Communications, and the Sales Representative of the year to Adele Lewis of Pukka Herbs.

The Annual Industry Awards are organised and hosted by Natural Products magazine and the Soil Association.