Winners revealed for prestigious food & drink awards

Proving that businesses can succeed in a recession, local businesses celebrated in style last night as the winners of the Coventry & Warwickshire Food and Drink awards 2009 were revealed.

Over 140 businesses attended the prestigious Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Ardencote Manor Hotel to applaud those fortunate enough to win a prestigious award. Organised by Warwickshire County Council and supported by Advantage West Midlands, the awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in locally sourced produce.

Awards were given for ‘Best Restaurant’, ‘Best International Restaurant’, ‘Best Dining Pub/Inn’, ‘Best Coffee House/Teashop’, ‘Best Restaurant/Cafe within a Visitor Attraction’, ‘Best Breakfast’, ‘Best Local Food or Drink Producer’ and ‘Champion of Local Produce (retailer). All shortlisted entries were automatically entered into three further awards: Champion of Local Produce, Best Local Food and Drink Experience and Champion of Customer Service.

All entries were initially assessed by an experienced panel of independent judges. The panel compiled a shortlist of entrants who were entered into the second round of judging. Shortlisted entries were visited and assessed by specially-trained assessors from Quality in Tourism who compiled written reports. These reports, together with the finalists’ original entry forms, were presented to the panel to determine the regions winners.

The evening got underway with a drinks reception and exhibition showcasing local producers. The dinner menu was carefully prepared to showcase some of the best in regional produce and support the region's farmers and growers. Guests dined on baby leaf spinach and smoked chicken quiche or carrot and coriander soup followed by shank of Lighthorne Lamb or a filo basket filled with sautéed baby vegetables. A dessert of warm apple and blackberry cinnamon crumble ended the evening’s delicious three course meal.

The finalists were announced during dinner by Lorna Bailey from BBC Coventry & Warwickshire. The winners were presented with a trophy or certificate to acknowledge their award. The core supporters and sponsors of the evening included Advantage West Midlands, Business Link, Farmstay UK, Heart of England Fine Foods and Mallory Court Hotel.

Simon Haigh, Michelin-starred Head Chef at Mallory Court Hotel and Chair of the judging panel stated, “The overwhelming response from local businesses yet again re-enforces the importance of winning one of these awards. It was extremely challenging in selecting just one winner from each category. Our winners have all demonstrated that extra attention to detail, the commitment to using locally sourced produce and exemplary standards of service and innovation. All our shortlisted finalists should be deservedly proud of their achievements”.

Councilor Chris Saint, Leisure, Culture & Housing Portfolio Holder at Warwickshire County Council stated, “The awards provide a real boost for the regions food and drink industry and it’s great to see this year’s awards highlighting so many businesses that have excelled. Even in these challenging economic times, our finalists have proved that value for money, quality and commitment to local food sourcing are vital if they are to succeed. I congratulate all our winners and runners-up and hope they go on to benefit greatly from wining such a highly coveted award”.

And this year’s winners are...

Best Restaurant
Malbec Petit Bistro, Stratford-upon-Avon (Winner)
Restaurant 23, Leamington Spa (Highly Commended)
Chapel House, Atherstone (Commended)

Best International Restaurant
Winner Agra Palace, Nuneaton (Winner)
Highly Commended Turmeric Gold, Coventry (Highly Commended)
Raffles Restaurant, Kenilworth (Commended)

Best Dining Pub/Inn
The Bluebell, Henley in Arden (Winner)
The Red Lion, Hunningham (Highly Commended)
The Bell, Alderminster (Commended)

Best Coffee House/Tea Shop
McKechnies independent tea and coffee bar, Stratford-upon-Avon (Winner)
Hatton Locks Café, Hatton (Highly Commended)
Bread & Co, Leamington Spa (Commended)

Best Restaurant/Cafe within a Visitor Attraction
Compton Verney, Nr Kineton (Winner)
Planters Restaurant, Freasley, North Warks (Highly Commended)
Hatton Locks Café, Hatton, (Commended)

Best Breakfast
Ashton Lodge Country House, Nr Rugby (Winner)
White-Sails, Stratford-upon-Avon (Highly Commended)
Loxley Guesthouse, Loxley (Commended)

Best Local Food or Drink Producer
Lighthorne Lamb, Lighthorne (Winner)
Harvest of Arden, Nr Stratford-upon-Avon (Highly Commended)
Ringswood Icecream, Nr Rugby (Commended)

Champion of Local Produce (Retailer)
Ragley Estate Meats/Hillers Farm Shop, Nr Alcester (Winner)
Talton Mill Farm Shop, Newbold-on-Stour (Highly Commended)
Bread & Co, Leamington Spa, (Commended)

Judges Commendations

Champion of Local Produce (Food Service)
Planters Restaurant, Freasley, North Warks (Winner)

Champion of Customer Service (Individual)
Lizzie King, The Stag @Offchurch (Winner)

Best Local Food and Drink Experience
Malbec Petit Bistro, Stratford-upon-Avon (Winner)

The 2009 Coventry & Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards were organised with the support of representatives from Advantage West Midlands, Business Link West Midlands, CVOne, Heart of England Fine Foods, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Shakespeare Country, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council.

Full details of the awards scheme can be found at foodanddrink2009.co.uk.