Organised by the British Sandwich & Food to Go Association (the BSA), the Grammys of the sandwich world celebrates excellence across the industry, from small independents to established sector giants and nationwide chains.
The association, which held its annual awards last night, presented 20 accolades. The glittering event saw 500 retail, manufacturing and supplier peers come together to celebrate another year’s worth of new products, marketing initiatives, environmental strategies and overall positive performance.
With entries at an all-time high across each of the 19 categories, the panel of industry experts had to work hard to whittle down to a shortlist and decide on the eventual champions.
2024 WINNERS
Marketing Award
Subway - ‘Creme Egg SubMelt’
Recognising the importance of marketing, this award is presented to a sandwich or food-to-go retailer, manufacturer or supplier who has initiated a successful and innovative campaign to achieve strategic goals.
Environmental & Sustainability Award:
Dawn Farms – Sustainability For All Our Futures
This award is designed to recognise the work being done at all levels of the industry to reduce the sector's impact on the environment and improve sustainability.
The Real Wrap Co – World’s First Carbon Labelled Food to Go Range (highly commended)
Business Development Award
Flexeserve – Connect by Flexeserve
This award recognises business developments that have helped progress the industry.
New Product Award (packaging & equipment)
Sabert - ‘Snap2Go range’
This award recognises development and innovation by suppliers within the industry and looks at both ingredients and packaging/equipment.
New Product Award(new ingredient)
Grow Up Farms - Unbeleafable
This award recognises development and innovation by suppliers within the industry and looks at both ingredients and packaging/equipment.
Independent Sandwich Retailer Award
Dene’s Deli, Newcastle Upton Tyne
This award shines a spotlight on the independent retailers which so often lead the way in new trends and tastes.
Healthy Eating Award
M&S – Korean Chicken Egg Wrap
This award recognises the work being done to provide consumers with new, interesting, and innovative healthy eating products.
New Food to Go Award
Greggs – Mozzarella & Cheddar Bites
This award recognises development and innovation in the food-to-go market by manufacturers and food service businesses.
New Sandwich Award (cold category)
Booths – Coronation Chicken Wrap
Open to any sandwich (not a range) this award rewards innovation within the sandwich market, in both the hot, cold and plant-based sectors.
New Sandwich Award (plant-based category)
WHSmith Travel – Bang Bang Chickpea Wrap
Open to any sandwich (not a range) this award rewards innovation within the sandwich market, in both the hot, cold and plant-based sectors.
New Sandwich Award (hot category)
Starbucks Ireland – Holiday Ham & Cheese
Open to any sandwich (not a range) this award rewards innovation within the sandwich market, in both the hot, cold and plant-based sectors.
Manufacturer Award
Simply Lunch
This award recognises the overall contribution made by manufacturers to elevate and grow the industry.
Café Retailer Award (high street)
Gail’s Bakery
This award recognises the work being done by the café retailers to develop either the high street or in-store market.
Café Retailer Award (in store)
M&S
This award recognises the work being done by the café retailers to develop either the high street or in-store market.
Chain Retailer Award
Greggs
This award recognises the work being done by the chain retailers in developing the market in the high street.
En Route Retailer Award
BP Wild Bean Café
Focusing on travel, from forecourts and service stations to airports and trains, this award recognises the work these businesses are doing to develop and drive this sector.
Convenience Retailer Award
Scotmid Co-operative
This award recognises the work being done by convenience retailers to develop the sandwich and food-to-go market in the high street.
- Market Express (highly commended)
Multiple Retailer Award
M&S
This award recognises those retailers who have done the most to develop their business over the last year.
Sainsbury’s (highly commended)
Industry Award
Raynor Foods
Presented to a business or individual whom the BSA Management or Committee consider deserves recognition for the work they have done to advance the UK sandwich and food-to-go markets.
The awards evening took place at the Royal Lancaster London, hosted by celebrity chef Theo Randall and comedian Charlie Baker.
Jim Winship, BSA director said, “Every year we hold our annual Sammies awards, and we are always wowed by entrants across the plethora of categories. Even with the long-term impact of the pandemic still being seen by many, it’s really promising that the sandwich industry is thriving, and consumers are choosing to spend money on the much-loved staple.
“The Sammies are the benchmark for excellence in our industry, with the range of awards acknowledging new products, marketing creativities, green initiatives, overall performance and so much more.
“It was a demanding year for our judges as the entries were just that good! It was a pleasure to present every single winner, from retailers to manufacturers, and suppliers alike.”
The awards are a calendar highlight, also acting as a precursor to the annual British Sandwich Week – a seven-day celebration aiming to support the industry, rejoicing in the nation’s love of sandwiches, which returns again this month.
Jim concluded, “The Sammies always begins what feels like a month-long celebration of everything food-to-go and sandwiches. There’s no time to relax after the awards. Our team is now very busy preparing for British Sandwich Week which kick-starts on Monday 20th May. We are already working with many of our members to propel their creative ideas and activities that week. We hope the whole country gets behind the humble sandwich once more this year and heads to a sandwich shop or chain nearby.”