Voting has now finished for the 2016 Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Awards and a record 30,000 votes have been cast to produce the nominations for this hotly contested competition.
Taste Cheshire general manager Lisa Edwards was thrilled with this year’s response. She said: “Last year we were amazed at getting over 20,000 votes and thought that would take some beating but the response this year from the public has been amazing.
“It has taken us nearly four days to go through all the votes and ensure that the correct people have been nominated in each category and we are extremely proud of all those nominated. It really is a triumph for these venues as they have been recognised and voted for by their customers, which is one of the highest tributes that can be paid.”
Nominations will now be mystery dined/shopped by industry experts to rank the nominations from the gold award in their category, through silver and bronze. Each venue receives a copy of their report after the event.
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Taste Cheshire CEO Stephen Wundke said: “We have been doing this now for 17 years and our previous winners’ list is a county roll of honour within the industry. To have so many of the general public vote for these businesses is an incredible endorsement of both the businesses and our awards and we look forward to presenting our new winners in 2016.”
The nominations are:
Best Local Produce Shop: Cheerbrook - Nantwich; H E Coward - Frodsham; Hall Farm Shop - Alsager; The Hollies – Little Budworth.
Excellence in Customer Service: H E Coward - Frodsham; Hawarden Farm Estate - Hawarden; Chesterfields – Mickle Trafford; Urbano 32 - Chester.
Best Family Friendly Venue: Ring of Bells - Christleton; Millstone - Penyfford; Hickory’s - Chester; Cheshire Ice Cream Farm - Tattenhall.
Best Newcomer: Ginger Wine Bar and Deli - Chester; The Ship Inn - Handbridge; Cornichon - The Gunnery - Tarvin; At the Hollows - Hoole.
Best Sandwich Shop: Deli Vert - Hoole; Spoilt for Choice - Handbridge; Bloom - Nantwich; Liveseys - Bollington.
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Best Café: Hopper Coffee - Chester; Dormouse Tea Rooms - Daresbury; Enzo - Nantwich; Jaunty Goat - Chester.
Best Delicatessen: Define - Sandiway; Deli Vert - Hoole; Spoilt for Choice - Handbridge; Whitmore and White - Frodsham.
Best Bar: Bar Lounge - Chester; Commonhall Social - Chester; Liquor & Co - Chester; The Suburbs - Hoole.
Best Pub: George & Dragon - Holmes Chapel; The Coach House - Chester; The Faulkner - Chester; Rising Sun - Scholar Green.
Best Small Restaurant: Chefs Table - Chester; The Yard - Chester; Upstairs at the Grill - Chester; Sticky Walnut - Hoole; Piste – Tarporley.
Best Large Restaurant: Luke’s Kitchen - Chester; Royal Oak - Kelsall; Hickory’s - Chester; Cock O Barton - Farndon.
Best Use of Local Produce in a Menu: 1539; The Chesterfields; Chefs Table; The Rising Sun - Scholar Green.
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The awards presentation dinner takes place at the pavilion at Chester Racecourse on Wednesday, March 30 starting at 7pm. The event will be hosted by Dee106.3’s Gavin Matthews.
There will be almost 400 people in attendance on the night to crown this year’s champions, which brings the Chester Food Drink and Lifestyle Festival to a close.
Anyone wishing to attend the dinner should make contact with Lisa Edwards on 01244 405610 or email lisa.edwards@tastecheshire.com.
