The very best of Chester’s bars, restaurants, pubs and food outlets attended a glittering awards ceremony on Wednesday evening at Chester Racecourse for a celebration of the best of the best at Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival 9th annual Gala Dinner Awards.
With tension in the air, over 300 guests were treated to a delicious four course meal courtesy of Chester Racecourse’s Restaurant 1539, using the finest local and regional produce from around Chester and Cheshire.
The Gala Dinner Awards have always been a fantastic way to celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who work within the food and drink industry within the city, and being recognised by the people who eat and drink in their establishments really is the very best thank you they would wish for.
Festival Organiser, Stephen Wundke, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has voted for this year’s Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Gala Dinner Awards. Each and everyone who is here this evening has worked extremely hard to ensure that they are offering customers the very best experience they can and to be recognised for this by not only the customers but also by those in the industry, means a great deal to them.”
The awards ceremony drew to a close with the recognition of the Outstanding Achievement Award, which was awarded to the Managing Director of the Chester Grosvenor and Spa, Jonathan Slater by Chairman of Visit Chester and Cheshire, Chris Brown.
On winning the award, Jonathan Slater, managing director of The Chester Grosvenor and Spa, said: “I’m really thrilled with this award especially because it has come about as a result of nominations from my peers. This is really an award for the fantastic team that I’ve been privileged to work with at The Chester Grosvenor and Spa for the last 26 years and I would like to thank the organisers of the Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival for this accolade.”
This year’s winners include:
Best Use of Local Produce on a Menu
1st The Coach House
2nd 1539 Restaurant & Bar
3rd Joseph Benjamin
Sausage of the Festival
CS Austin Butchers
Cheese of the Festival
Caroline Fairburn
Local Produce Shop of the Year
1st Hawarden Farm Shop
2nd Davenport Farm Shop
3rd The Cheese Shop
Best Asian Dining Experience
1st Café Naj
2nd Chester Tandoori
3rd Siam Thai
Best Newcomer
1st The Commercial Hotel
2nd Tropeiro
3rd Marco Pierre Wight at Doubletree
Excellence in Customer Care
1st Siam Teppanyaki – The Teppanyaki Experience
2nd Famous Blue Moon Café
3rd Edens of Handbridge
Family Friendly Award
1st The Ship Inn
2nd Red Lion at Dodleston
3rd The Ring O’Bells
Best Café
1st The Barista’s
2nd Zurgers
3rd The Three Kings Tearooms
Best Sandwich Bar
1st Cheshire Sandwich Company
2nd Philpotts
3rd Watergate Deli
Best Bar
1st Duttons Wine Bar
2nd BarLounge
3rd OddFellows
Best Deli
1st Deli-Vert
2nd DeliKate
3rd Olio & Farina
Best Pub
1st The Brewery Tap
2nd The Ring O’Bells
3rd The Bear & Billet
Small Restaurant
1st Upstairs at the Grill
2nd Joseph Benjamin
3rd OddFellows
Large Restaurant
1st 1539 Restaurant & Bar
2nd Siam Teppenyaki
3rd The Blackhouse Grill
Outstanding Achievement
Jonathan Slater, Managing Director of The Grosvenor Hotel and Spa
Mr Wundke concluded: “Over the last year, we have seen many changes within the food and drink industry and it’s been a tough 12 months for everyone. The success of the restaurants we have in Chester and the new restaurants that have opened in the last few months is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the teams who work within them. With the continued support of visitors to the city and residents who frequent them, we anticipate the next 12 months being a challenging and exciting time for all.”
Below: Jonathan Slater receiving Outstainding Acheivement Award from Chris Brown MD VCC
