Paolo Arrigo wins Person of the Year

Created six years ago, the Slow Food awards are truly democratic - with no prior shortlisting, the winners are simply chosen by whoever gets the most votes. These Awards are so powerful in highlighting Good, Clean and Fair, that like last year, thousands of you voted over the summer.

Each nation has its own winners, with the highest number of votes in each category also being the overall UK winner.

In addition to the public vote, each nation director chose their Person of the Year with one of those of winners being crowned Slow Food in the UK Person of Year as well.

This year that person is Paolo Arrigo - pictured with his mother Theresa - of Seeds of Italy and Franchi Seeds. It was Paolo's vision to build the silver medal-winning Ark of Taste Garden at Hampton Court Flower Show, and it is his philosophy to embed Slow Food values in all he does. The only seed company to attend Terra Madre, the only seed company endorsed by Slow Food as one of the last commercial custodians of a number of Ark seeds, and a huge supporter of school and community gardens.

There is no more worthy winner.

Slow Food England Winners - Winners in Bold are also Slow Food in the UK Winners

Best Butcher:  Pipers Farm, Devon (mail order UK wide)
Best Baker: Bread Ahead, London
Best Greengrocer: Farmers' Fruit and Veg Market, Ludlow
Best Fishmonger: The Fish House, Ludlow
Best Deli or Grocer: Clean Kilo, Birmingham
Best Cheesemonger: Heritage Cheese, London
Best Market: Borough Market, London
Best Restaurant/Food Eatery: Riverside Inn, Aymestrey
Champion Slow Food Product: Pipers Farm Properly Free Range Chicken, Devon (mail order UK Wide)

Person of the Year: Paolo Arrigo