England’s Best Burger Challenge 2012 – finalists announced

From over one hundred beef, lamb, mutton and veal burgers entered into the competition across two categories, 'Independent Retail Butcher or Caterer' and 'Manufacturer' A record 23 companies achieved 30 Gold Awards and will now go through to the final round of judging on 27 April. The finalists in the Independent category are: • Uptons of Bassett • Jon Thorner's Ltd • Walter Rose & Son • C. Lidgate • JT Beedham & Sons • Minting Park Farm • John Pettit & Sons Ltd • G & E Hallsworth & Son • Fence Gate Ltd • Phil Davies Quality Butchers Ltd • H Clewlow Butchers • The Hollies Farm Shop • Drewton's Ltd • Cranstons Ltd • Rothbury Family Butchers The finalists in the Manufacturer category are: • St Merryn Foods • Uptons of Bassett • Fairfax Meadow • New Breed Sausage Company • Bluefields Group • Dalehead Foods • ABP • Aubrey Allen • Linden Foods At this stage, the burger in each category with the highest score will become the overall category winners. The two companies who produced the category award winning burgers will then be invited to attend the Meat Management Awards on 24 May in London, where the burger that achieved the highest score overall will be announced as 'England's Best Burger 2012'. Hugh Judd, EBLEX foodservice project manager, said: "The standard of burgers entered into this year's competition was very high and as such, we've had a record number of Gold Awards, earning all of them a place in the final of the competition. "The final is going to be very interesting and the judges are going to have their work cut out with such a high number of burgers to assess. However, we must determine a winner in each category as well as an overall winner, to collect the coveted title of England's Best Burger. Our congratulations go to everyone who has taken part so far and we wish all the finalists the very best of luck."