Sainsbury and Marks and Spencer battled it out at this year's Brammy Awards but Waitrose pipped them both to the title of best multiple retailer. The Brammys, which celebrates the contribution of retailers, manufacturers, caterers and the media to raising awareness of the Bramley apple, comprised 12 categories. The most-hotly contested class was for best Bramley apple pie/pastry product, which was won by Sainsbury for its frozen Bramley apple lattice pie made by Heinz. Sainsbury also scooped the best Bramley apple sauce while Marks and Spencer was awarded best Bramley apple crumble, best savoury product for its pork and apple sausages and most innovative product, which was a roast pork and Bramley apple and scrumpy cider product made by Dawn Meats. While Sainsbury has the biggest share of the Bramleys' market, judges were impressed with the quality of Waitrose's entry. The retailer has increased its market share over the year by supporting Bramleys in store and in its customer magazine. "Retailers have continued to give excellent support, reinforcing the Bramley's positioning as a premium cooking ingredient," said judge Ian Mitchell, chairman of the Bramley Campaign. "This year's awards attracted more entries than before." The judging panel included Hugo Warner, owner of Benugo sandwich bars, The Grocer's deputy editor Siân Harrington and Angela Nilsen from BBC Good Food Magazine. The judges were particularly impressed with Stonham Hedgerow's Bramley apple and mint chutney and awarded it a chairman's accolade and marked it top of its category. l Full details of all the winners will be in The Grocer next week. {{NEWS }}

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