A CAFE run by an arts charity and a shop beside a National Trust estate are among the contenders vying for titles at an awards ceremony to celebrate the food industry in Hambleton and Richmondshire.

The ninth Flavours of Herriot Country Awards will see more than 35 food producers, cafes, catering outlets and breweries competing in 13 categories.

Food firms put themselves forward for the competition this summer and all shortlisted entrants are set to be visited anonymously by a panel of judges.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said the awards showcased the cream of the area’s food industry.

He said: “The standard is second to none and we wish all the finalists the very best of luck.”

Spring House Farm Shop, Leeming Bar, will defend the breakfast of the year title it won last year, and will compete against Berry's Farm Shop and Café, near Leyburn and the Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton, in the category.

Berry's Farm Shop, which is in contention for three awards, will go head-to-head with competition newcomers Rural Arts, in Westgate, Thirsk, and Stamps, Great Ayton in the tea rooms section and Spring House Farm Shop, Leeming Bar and Home Farm, Beningbrough, in the village/farm shop category.

Thorpe Perrow Arboretum, near Bedale, Black Sheep Brewery, Masham and Kiplin Hall, Richmond, will contest for the trophy in a new best attraction catering section.

The specialist retailer title will be decided between Campbell's of Leyburn, Northallerton and Yarm retailer Lewis and Cooper, and The Little Chocolate Shop, Leyburn, while Jaipur Spice, Thirsk, Aroma, Northallerton and Saffron Indian, Leyburn will challenge in the foods of the world category.

The winners will be announced at a lunchtime ceremony at Thirsk Racecourse on Friday, November 22.