A SHORTLIST for an awards scheme celebrating the best food and drink from Yorkshire and Humber has been finalised.

A team of expert, independent judges has whittled down more than 100 entries to the annual Deliciously Yorkshire Awards to 29 across 11 categories.

The awards are designed to showcase outstanding produce and will be presented on November 1 at an awards dinner in Merchant Adventurers' Hall, York.

The shortlist reads like a who's who in Yorkshire produce and includes Northallerton gourmet food emporium Lewis and Cooper, which is up for the Best Independent Retailer Award.

Meat producer Taste Tradition, in Thirsk, has been shortlisted for Yorkshire Product of the Year and Melmerby's Yorkshire Provender, which produces soups with local produce is shortlisted for Most Innovative Product.

New for 2007 is the Deliciouslyorkshire Champion Award given by a team of judges to the person who has best promoted the use of Yorkshire produce over the previous year.

Now in its third year, the Deliciouslyorkshire Awards have gained recognition among retailers, the hospitality sector and consumers.