Food industry awards: Make sure you’re winning before you enter
Winning a food industry award is a big deal for any business. It’s like a pat on the back for all the hard work and dedication that goes into making delicious and high quality products or services. It’s also a great way to show off what you’ve got and attract new customers.
But it’s not just about the customers, winning a food award can also be a huge boost to the morale of the whole team. It’s a way of saying “well done” and making everyone feel proud of what they’ve accomplished.
And let’s not forget about the marketing side of things. An award can be a powerful tool for getting the word out about your business and making it stand out from the competition. It could lead to media coverage and other opportunities you never thought possible.
Entering and winning an industry award can be a great way to take your business to the next level.
Just bear in mind that awards do come with some costs and time investment, so make sure to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding if it’s the right move for your business.
Some of the benefits of entering food industry awards
It gets your brand noticed
It can give you a boost in visibility, especially among industry experts and potential customers. It’s especially helpful if you’re a new or small business, as it can help you get noticed and establish yourself in the market.
It validates your authenticity
Winning a food award can give your business a good reputation. Awards are often viewed as symbols of excellence and quality, and can make potential customers more likely to trust your business.
It provides serious accreditation
An award can give you some major recognition from industry experts. Especially if you’re a chef or restaurant owner, it can be a great way to show off your skills and expertise.
It equips you with a platform for promotion
Your win can be a powerful marketing tool and you can use it to show off your business and attract new customers.
It helps you find out how well you’re doing
Submitting your business to food industry awards can help you see how you measure up against other businesses in your industry. It can give you an idea of what you’re doing well and what areas you can improve on, and also help you understand what your customers are looking for.
Just keep in mind that entering awards comes with some costs and time investment. You might have to spend money on entry fees, travel, and accommodation, and the application process can take a lot of time and effort. So, make sure you think it through before deciding if it’s a good investment for your business.
Putting forward your food business for industry accolades can be great, but there are also some downsides to keep in mind.
A few of the downsides of entering food industry awards
It might not be cheap
Entering food awards can cost you some money. You’ll probably have to pay some entry fees and if you end up winning, you might have to spend money on travel and accommodation for the awards ceremony.
It can be a real time-eater
Applying for food awards can take a lot of time. You’ll probably have to spend a lot of time gathering information and putting together your application as well as preparing food samples. It could take a few hours or even days depending on what you’ve been asked to submit.
It’s a tough competition
The competition for food awards can be intense. Even if you have an amazing product or service, there’s no guarantee you’ll come out on top.
It can be a real disappointment if you don’t win
If you’re not selected as a winner, it can be disheartening for you and your team. But keep in mind, awards are just one aspect of a business and not winning an award doesn’t mean your business is not good.
Your audience could be limited
The audience that sees food awards could be limited to those in the industry or interested in the industry, it may not have a direct impact on your sales or customer base.
Remember
Before deciding to enter into awards, weigh the pros and cons. Think about the cost, time, and potential benefits in relation to your overall business goals and objectives.
Do your research – a word about sponsors
It’s always a good idea to be aware of the organisations sponsoring a food award, as well as the criteria and process for the awards themselves. Some awards may be sponsored by organisations with their own interests and biases, which could affect the fairness and impartiality of the awards.
You may wish to consider the credibility of the awards and the organisations sponsoring them. Some awards may be recognised and respected within the industry, while others may not have as much credibility. Researching the awards and their sponsors can help you to determine whether they are legitimate, meaningful and have a fair process.
Good judgement
Another good thing to check is the information about the judging process, the criteria, and the past winners, to get a sense of the level of objectivity and impartiality of the awards.
Putting any negatives aside, by approaching things in a thoughtful way, entering food awards is a bold move that could take your business to new heights. By putting your best foot forward and showcasing your talents, you could open doors to new opportunities.
If you do enter your food business into an award and you win (well done!), you may be wondering for how long you can use your award for. We look at the answers to that question in this article.
Gaining exposure and recognition from receiving a food industry award is one way of getting your artisan food business noticed.
Another way to receive affordable sustained year-round promotion and awareness for your business, is to become a member of The Artisan Food Trail.
Our online application process is simple and we’ll respond within a matter of days to get your membership started.
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