Olympian Sally Gunnell reveals secret of her gold medal success
Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell helped officially launch the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2012/13 at the South of England Show yesterday (Thursday).
And Sally (pictured and below at the opening ceremony), who won gold in the Barcelona Olympics 20 years ago, revealed that eating the right food was the key to her finding that “little extra” which sped her to glory in the 400m hurdles final.
She sought out organic, fresh produce that was additive free as she changed her whole diet.
“I couldn’t believe the difference it made to my performance,” she told guests at the launch. “I had so much more energy.”
Chairman of the judging panel, Clive Beddall, former executive editor of The Grocer magazine, said: “We can justifiably boast that we have some of the country’s best food and drink producers here in Sussex and our farmers, producers and sellers work hard to provide and promote high quality local produce to their local communities.”
Guests at the breakfast to launch the awards enjoyed Eggs Jubilee, specially created by Paul Peach of the Horse Guards Inn, Tillington, near Petworth on the A272, the reigning Sussex Young Chef of the Year.
Voting is now open for the public to choose their favourites from the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2012/13. View the finalists here
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in January.
Guests discussed sustainable farming and food and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs minister Richard Benyon who was present came under pressure to reduce red tape.
Dairy farmer Gwyn Jones told him agriculture needed encouragement and more freedom.
Mr Benyon (below), Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, said the Government was aware of the need to ensure producers were as “unencumbered” as possible.
“We want to withdraw red tape where it is possible.”
Mr Benyon, who was also showing cattle at the show from his farm, told the forum: “If you are involved in the food industry, feel good about it. You are doing an important and noble calling. It is a game-changer for the local economy.
He added: “We should all feel good about the fact that we are all involved in this remarkable industry. “We are doing what we can to ensure that local food is being supported.”
The Minister later told UckfieldNews.com that the rural community had raised many issues with him while he was on the showground. They included reform of the Common Agriculture Policy, regulation, planning and the provision of fast broadband in the countryside. He said the broadband roll-out was a high priority and they were committed to delivering it by 2015.
Footnote: Uckfield Farmers' Market, previous winners of the best farmers' market section of the Sussex Food and Drink Awards, was not nominated for the 2012/13 awards.
See also:
Garden waste collections to remain free
How Uckfield celebrated the Jubilee
(Added to site Friday, June 8th, 2012)
