Fifteen to go head to head with Old Bakery

Lincoln business, The Old Bakery Restaurant with Rooms is celebrating after reaching the finals of a national award where they will be competing head to head with Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen.

It's hard to believe that Alan Ritson and partner Head Chef Ivano de Serio have built such a successful and widely renowned business in only just over three years. Previously they both worked on Grand Cayman, Ivano was still involved in the restaurant trade but Alan ran a diving school!

Alan Ritson of the Old Bakery said "We are extremely pleased to be competing in the national finals and to be at this stage along with Jamie Oliver's 'Fifteen' is particularly exciting! Over the past three years our team has made tremendous effort to create a sustainable business supporting both local people and encouraging visitors to the city.

“We are passionate about Lincolnshire and the produce it offers and we regularly use our own home-grown seasonal vegetables within our cuisine."

On the 23rd April 2008 the awards ceremony will be held in Liverpool in the St Georges Hall. This is the first time the ceremony has been held outside London in its 19 year history and ties in with the celebration of Liverpool, European City of Culture and St Georges Day.

The national tourist board, VisitBritain recently shortlisted the winners of the regional awards and the Old Bakery will now go forward in the Taste of England category which recognises excellent food establishments. The only other business in this class is Jamie Oliver's highly publicised restaurant; Fifteen.

There is no guarantee that after winning the regional level of the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence those businesses will go forward to the national stage.

The Old Bakery, which holds 2 AA rosettes is no stranger to the awards process as the team have scooped a whole host of prizes including the Tastes of Lincolnshire Restaurant of the year in February 2006 as well as being highly commended in 2007 and 2008.

During September 2007 the restaurant also featured in The Sunday Times Travel Magazine 'Top 100 Finest Places to Stay in England' as one of five establishments nominated in the Foodie category.

For more information, visit Theold-bakery.co.uk.