CHESTER’S best restaurants, pubs and food outlets attended a glittering award ceremony at Chester Racecourse to find out who would be crowned winners of the 11th Chester Food and Drink Awards.

The evening began with a champagne cocktail reception followed by a five course meal, which was prepared using Cheshire’s finest ingredients.

Each course was cooked by a regional chef including Paul Askew (The London Carriage Works, Liverpool), Michael Caines (Abode Chester) and Steve Doherty (Previously Gordon Ramsey Scholarship School and the Savoy).

After dinner, more than 300 guests eagerly waited to find out who would be crowned this year’s winners. From the many hopefuls there were a few newcomers to the awards evening who did extremely well, as well as some old favourites who remain at the top of their game in Chester and Cheshire’s food industry.

Chester Food and Drink chairman Jane Mooney said: “I would like to thank the thousands of people who voted for this year’s food and drink awards, without the people who vote, and are passionate about Chester and Cheshire’s food and drink industry, there would be no awards at all.

“Out of all of the awards that the catering industry in Chester receives, the Chester Food and Drink Awards are the most exciting as they are voted for by the people who eat and drink in their pubs and restaurants.

“They are the very best indicator of what Chester people think are the best food places in the city and those that win are hugely proud to do so.”

The evening drew to a close with the presentation of the Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award, which was awarded to Phil Dougherty, catering manager at Restaurant 1539 and Chester Racecourse, by the Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Eleanor Johnson.

Mr Dougherty said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have been given this award and I am extremely proud. I’ve worked in Chester for most of my working life and have done so because I love the city and the restaurants I have been lucky enough to have been involved with.

“Although this award I have is absolutely fantastic, it’s the recognition from those I have worked with that means the most to me and I wouldn’t be stood here now without their dedication and support.”