Launch of the Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Awards 2012

Feb 9 2012 Chester Chronicle

FROM perfect pubs and sumptuous sandwich bars to really good restaurants and best bars, residents can now vote for their favourite places to eat and drink throughout the city in the 2012 Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Awards.

Whether it’s the most delicious sandwich ever eaten, best child friendly pub visited or a new favourite bar or restaurant that’s top of the list, foodies can vote for their favourites and give them the best ‘tip’ they’ll ever get.

There will be 14 award categories covering everything from best sandwich bar, best small and large restaurant and best newcomer to give residents the opportunity to say well done and thank you to the best of the best.

Voting will take place via www.chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk with one vote per person per category.

On Friday, March 16, all the votes will be counted with four shortlisted for each category. Each outlet will then be visited by a mystery dinner and examined by a number of secret criteria to create a shortlist.

Winners will be announced at the 11th Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Awards, which will take place at Chester Racecourse on April 11. Winners will be awarded with a plaque, but most importantly, will be able to show everyone they are the very best in their category.

Chairman of the Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Festival, Jane Mooney, believes the awards play a huge part in recognising the talents of the city’s food industry.

She said: “There are numerous industry awards that our fine restaurants, pubs and bars get recognition for, however the award that matters the most is the one given by the customer and the Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Awards allows the customer to do just this.

“What is so wonderful about the awards is that family run Chester businesses can still pack a punch against foodie heavyweights such as Michael Caines and Marco Pierre White.

“This is why dining out in Chester is such a treat. There is something to suit all tastes and budgets without the compromise on quality.”

The 2012 categories are:

Best Large Restaurant; Best Small Restaurant; Best Newcomer; Best Pub; Best Bar; Best Cafe; Best Sandwich; Family Friendly; Excellence in Customer Care; Best use of local produce in a menu; Sausage of the Festival; Best Curry; Local Produce Shop of the Year; Outstanding achievement.