FABULOUS food, superlative service, mouthwatering menus and even top-notch toilets – all elements needed to ensure finalist status in the four dining categories in this year’s Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards!
And in just a few days’ time, those venues which have been shortlisted in the Restaurant of the Year, Booker Food Pub of the Year, World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year and Independent Cafe / Tea Room of the Year categories will discover if they will be receiving one of the winners’ trophies from Saturday Kitchen wine expert Olly Smith, who, as revealed in last month’s Business Times, is the special guest at the Awards Dinner taking place on Thursday, 14 November at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate.
For three months over the summer, a veritable army of Mystery Shoppers have taken their expert taste buds and appraising eyes to visit all of the entries across the four prestigious categories and the respective finalists are (in alphabetical order in each category):
Restaurant of the Year (sponsored by Whitco Catering and Bakery Equipment): Bread and Pullet, Northampton; Murrays at Whittlebury Hall, Whittlebury; Nuovo, Northampton; Tap and Kitchen, Oundle; The Hopping Hare, Northampton and Tresham Restaurant at Rushton Hall, Rushton
Booker Food Pub of the Year (sponsored by Booker): The Griffin’s Head, Mears Ashby; The Plough, Shutlanger; The Red Lion, Cranford; The Red Lion, East Haddon; The Saracen’s Head, Little Brington and The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth
World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year (sponsored by British Pepper & Spice): Ali’s Restaurant, Wellingborough; Jynja Jynja, Northampton; Lasaan, Northampton; Saffron, Northampton and Truva Charcoal Grill & Bar, Towcester
Independent Cafe / Tea Room of the Year (sponsored by Pidy UK): Brackley Central, Brackley; Evergreen Art Cafe, Daventry; Forget Me Not Cafe, Moulton; Ten Hands Cafe Bar, Towcester; The Apothocoffee Shop, Earls Barton and Vegan House Cafe, Rushden
Despite not being shortlisted, Hibiscus Restaurant in Northampton was also awarded a Highly Commended in the Restaurant of the Year category.
It has come as no surprise to Awards Director, Rachel Mallows MBE DL, that, alongside a number of new names, the shortlists are made up of former winners, runners-up and finalists, further indicating the esteem in which the competition is held.
“Last year, the winner of our cafe category, who couldn’t enter this year as the reigning champion, went on to employ eight more staff to cope with the increase in custom that its victory prompted and it’s clear that our previously successful eateries want to enjoy the business benefits that glory brings again,” said Rachel.
“I’m also thrilled that we have some new venues vying for the titles, so whether you’ve spotted an old favourite among the shortlists or are tempted to try somewhere you’ve never been before, I’d urge you to go out and enjoy any of the 23 finalists in these impressive line-ups.”
Having already been secretly assessed twice as part of the shortlisting process, the finalists in each category are currently being visited by two external Mystery Shoppers who will score them on everything from staff knowledge of the menu to use of local ingredients, speed of service, and of course the quality of the food itself.
For obvious reasons, the identities of the Mystery Shoppers are being kept under wraps, but the happy task has previously been performed by the likes of TV chef and Awards Patron Sophie Grigson and the former editor of the Good Food Guide, Jim Ainsworth.
In addition to their respective venue title, the finalists will also be vying for the Great Service Award, sponsored by Northampton College, and the Dining For All Award, the latter having been introduced for the first time this year thanks to a partnership with NAB – Sight Support for Northamptonshire – which will recognise the best eatery for its efforts in ensuring a pleasurable dining experience for those with sensory impairments for whom eating out can be more challenging.
To discover the finalists in all the categories in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2019/20, please visit the Awards’ website – www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk – or email Rachel Mallows at or call 01933 664437.
You can also follow the Awards on Twitter and Instagram at @foodawardsHQ or on Facebook at facebook.com/foodawards
The full results from the awards will be available in the December issue of Business Times.