There are six categories to showcase the diverse range of quality assured pork cuts and products being served up across the sector. They are:

•    Fresh Pork Cut
•    Pork Ready Meal
•    Best Cold Eating Product
•    Pork Bakery Product
•    Best Cured Product
•    Best Innovative Pork Product

The closing date for paper entries is Friday 15 February 2013, after which samples will be required for formal judging (by Wednesday 27th February 2013). All products are judged to strict guidelines by industry experts and can potentially receive a gold, silver or bronze award according to their final score.

First, second and third place in the six categories will attend a special awards lunch at Butchers’ Hall, London on Friday 12 April, where the 2013 champion will also be announced.

BPEX foodservice trade manager, Tony Goodger, said: “When it comes to meals eaten out of the home pork meat has the largest share of the market, accounting for over 1.75 million servings and increasing year on year¹. Whether it’s a pie or a pâté, ribs or a traditional roasting cut – it is safe to say that pork is a firm favourite on menus.

“It is this incredible versatility, coupled with good value for money that makes pork an ideal option for caterers – particularly in the current economic climate. What’s more, diners are clearly choosing to eat tasty and innovative pork dishes all the more when eating out.

“Customers expect quality and what better way to show it by not only using pork produced to rigorous standards as part of an assurance scheme, such as Red Tractor, but also being crowned Pork Product Champion.”

Entry forms and full terms and conditions are available to download from http://porkforcaterers.bpex.org.uk/. For any other information please call the competition hotline on 0247 647 8809 or email [email protected].