First Choice Coffee has won the Hot Beverages category for the second year running at the coveted 2007 Caterer and Hotelkeeper's Excellence in Food and Drink awards.

The Grand Café 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified brand was praised by the esteemed panel of judges for the excellent packaging and visually good blend of beans used, as well as having a "a nice flavour that was slightly acidic".

Having pipped Cafédirect Organic Espresso Coffee Beans and Coffeehouse Fairtrade Espresso to the post, the brand was also short-listed in the "Healthy, Organic and Ethical" category.

The award was presented to managing director, Elaine Higginson, at an awards ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel by chef Aldo Zilli, Mark Lewis - Editor of Caterer and Hotelkeeper - and Andy Kemp from 3663.

First Choice won the Hot Beverages category in 2006 with its Down to Earth tea.