Earlier this year, Sally helped kick off the 2012/13 awards at the South of England Show, revealing that it was eating good, super-fresh ingredients which made the difference to her fitness and allowed her to win gold at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Having found out more about the awards, which are all about celebrating the best local food and drink in Sussex, she now wants to be a part of them.

"It is much healthier to eat fresh, local food - and it's great to support your local community at the same time, so I am a huge advocate of eating local," said Sally Gunnell, who grew up on a farm and has lived in Sussex for many years.

Said Clive Beddall OBE, Chairman of the Judges: "We are delighted to have Sally on board - this takes the awards to a new level and Sally's energy and spirit will help us to spread the word even further about the superb local produce made in Sussex."

Tonight, Hotel du Vin will host  an array of local wine experts, restaurants and wine merchants at Make Your Case.  

The centrepiece Big Sussex Market - featuring over 80 local growers and producers and the Community Food area - is this year sponsored by Spire Healthcare and will have Brighton's North Laine buzzing tomorrow and Sunday, with the free Children's Food Festival just up the road at the Brighthelm Centre and Gardens. sponsored by PHS Wastetech.  

The festival will also include a Vegan Maki Competition at Moshi Moshi (September 12), the Sussex Wine Dinner at Hotel du Vin (September 13), in aid of Rockinghorse, and Brighton Mix Off cocktail competition for young bar tenders in the stunning surrounds of SEA LIFE Brighton (September 15).

The festival finale will be held over the weekend of September 15-16, including the free entry Sussex and the World Market on Hove Lawns, this year featuring the Live Food Show, the quirky Sussex Cheese Bowling Championship. organised by us at Natural PR with cheeses from High Weald Dairy and support from The Southern Co-operative. To find out details of the many other events, see www.brightonfoodfestival.com   

Last weekend saw the 'Big Nibble', a spectacular foodie extravaganza in Horsham's Carfax on Saturday and Sunday, where thousands enjoyed the huge farmers' market, chef demonstrations, tastings, recipes, beer trail around Horsham town centre pubs and much more.

The Food & Drink Festival 40-page programme is all foodies need to experience the delightful locally produced food and drink that the Horsham District has to offer and festival events highlight the very best in healthy, tasty and seasonal local produce as businesses throw open their doors with 108 amazing special offers, discounts, and fantastic events.