Over the last seven years, the YBFs have become one of the most prestigious food and drinks awards. It was set up by Amy Thorne (founder of Taste PR), national food journo Chloe Scott-Moncrieff and bad-ass baker Lily Vanilli back in 2011 to shine a light on all the innovators and tastemakers putting the UK on the international food map. And despite what its name may suggest, it has nothing to do with age.
With previous winners including the likes of Tomos Parry, now YBF judge and chef-co-owner of the much lauded Brat; wine expert Ruth Spivey, co-founder of Wine Car Boot; Riaz Phillips, author of Belly Full, its eagle-eyed ability to spot the best and brightest of Britain's rising talent has been proven time and time again.
And because we know you lot love being in the know, we've rounded up the winner's of this year's awards. So, without further ado, here's all the people, places and platforms who came out on top...
Category: Fresh voices in food writing
Judges: Christine Hayes, Marina O’Loughlin, Fay Maschler and Yotam Ottolenghi
Winner: Jake Missing, The Infatuation
Category: Giving back (new category for 2018)
Judges: Danny McCubbin (San Patrignano UK) and Thomasina Miers (Wahaca)
Winner: Richard Robinson & Cemal Ezel, Old Spike Roastery
Category: Alcohol
Judges: Ryan Chetiyawardana AKA Mr Lyan, Alice Lascelles and Rob Simpson
Winner: Adam Vanni, Jess Seaton, Tom Seaton and Neil Hinchley, JARR Kombucha
Category: Chefs
Judges: James Knappett, James Lowe, Nuno Mendes, Lisa Markwell and Camilla Schneideman
Winner: Roberta Hall, The Little Chartroom, from Edinburgh
Category: Honorary
Judges: Chef Tomos Parry, Michelin-winner Elizabeth Haigh and Lily Vanilli
Winner: Alice Planel & Kees Frederiks, Stroud Micro Dairy, from Gloucestershire
Category: Meat
Judges: Girl Butcher AKA Charlotte Harbottle, James George and Richard Turner
Winner: Matt Hill, Cobble Lane Cured
Category: Baking
Judges: Justin and Louise Gellatly, Lily Vanilli and April Preston
Winner: Florin Grama, Pophams Bakery
Category: Food sharing
Judges: Melissa Hemsley, Clerkenwell Boy and Phoebe Hurst
Winner: Benjamina and Bonita Ebuehi, The Sister Table
Category: Vegetable
Judges: Anna Jones, Kylee Newton of Newton & Pott and Jackson Boxer
Winner: Calixta Killander, Flourish Produce, from Cambridgeshire
Category: Front of house
Judges: Natalia Ribbe, Sandia Chang, Joanne Searley and Daniel Willis
Winner: Laudy Gibba-Smith, L’Enclume, from Cartmel
For more information: the-ybfs.com
