AN ICONIC Hereford hotel is lending its support to the Hereford Times Food and Drink Awards 2019.

The recently reopened and rejuvenated Green Dragon Hotel in Broad Street has declared its support for Herefordshire’s cider producers by sponsoring the Best Cider Producer category.

The awards seek to recognise and celebrate the best of the county’s food and drink businesses.

Green Dragon director Christian Dangerfield said supporting Herefordshire’s independent food and drink producers is at the heart of the business’s vision.

“We plan to source both locally and seasonally in Herefordshire. We hope to bring the Green Dragon back to the centre of Herefordshire’s society and agricultural life.

“The Green Dragon has a long history of supporting the farming sector in Herefordshire.

“The Herefordshire Agricultural Society’s first show took place right outside the hotel, the Cattle Club was formed here, and the Woolhope Club regularly met here before moving on to the library building.

“The county is not only famous the world over for beef and cider, but we also have a wealth of other wonderful produce.

“We are working with the Rule of Tum to create a food and drink quarter in the Berrington Street area of the city to celebrate this.

“We are hoping to really put the Green Dragon back at the heart of the food and drink economy, and in Herefordshire, cider is at the centre of that.

“We have a selection of craft cider in our Offa Bar, and we will be welcoming cider aficionados from across the globe when we host Ciderlands later in the year, so it makes a lot of sense for us to sponsor this award.”

The food and drink awards will be presented at a glittering gala evening in Hereford in November.