TWO York businesses were among the winners at the inaugural Yorkshire Food Entrepreneur Awards.

The awards scheme was pioneered by York accountants Garbutt + Elliott, and culminated in an awards ceremony at The Hospitium in Museum Gardens this week.

The event, which was attended by more than 100 business leaders in the food and drink sector, saw Ged Bell Butchers in Dringhouses and Dyls bar and kitchen in Skeldergate Bridge, named among the winners.

Ged Bell’s pork pies won the Taste award with judges impressed by the product’s provenance and production using locally-sourced meat and handmade pastry.

Dyls bar and kitchen was awarded the Yorkshire Grit award for resilience, as the company has survived three major floods at its premises.

Both companies were crowned alongside ten other winners across nine categories. Further afield, Pocklington’s The London Deli Co was a joint winner in the Best Yorkshire Exporter category alongside Leeds-based brewery North Brewing Co. There was also a highly commended award presented to Barton-le-Willows’s Sloemotion in the Best Yorkshire Brand category.

Commenting on Ged Bell and Dyls’s award wins, Garbutt + Elliott managing partner, Russell Turner, said: “Ged Bell’s pies have been a staple of the city of York for more than 30 years and the judges felt they were a great example of an ever-popular product using local ingredients and craftsmanship. Similarly, they thought Dyls has shown real perseverance and it’s heartening to see the business succeeding and growing.

“As a major supporter of businesses in Yorkshire, we’re proud to host an event that shines the spotlight on the significant role the food and drink sector plays in creating prosperity and employment.

“Congratulations to all the winners and those businesses which were highly commended – we look forward to seeing them grow and succeed throughout the coming years.

“We’re already planning on making next year’s event bigger and better.”