Kevin Harris of title sponsors, Cooper Parry said: “The Awards have already had a huge impact on the region and we're glad to see Leicestershire and Rutland now firmly on the national culinary map. It’s great to see we are finally celebrating our achievements and the restaurateurs receiving the recognition for their hard work in making their restaurants the success story they undoubtedly are.
“But these awards are also good for business - something we're passionate about at Cooper Parry. Participating in the awards raises restaurants profiles and more importantly attracts more people, increases footfall and adds pounds to the top line.
“As the memory of this glittering evening slowly fades, Leicestershire and Rutland's food and drink industry will continue to reap the benefits tomorrow, next month and throughout the year."
The public cast their votes in their thousands from 1st July for six weeks. The top three nominated restaurants in a number of categories were then visited anonymously throughout September by independent judging panels consisting of national, trade and local food writers and journalists, including, Olive, Foodie, Time Out, The AA Restaurant Guide, Les Routiers Restaurant & Pub Guides, Square Meal, Egon Ronay’s Restaurant Guide, Leicester Mercury, The Metro and BBC Radio Leicester.
Elizabeth Carter, judge and editor of Square Meal, commented on the region’s restaurant industry: “I've long been a champion of restaurants outside London. More and more over the last few years, some of the most interesting new restaurant openings have occurred in surprising places around the country. I'm glad to report that the towns and villages of Leicestershire and Rutland are no exception. Here are independent restaurateurs and chefs revelling in the quality of the local produce and delivering dishes of sophistication and skill, together with friendly, solicitous service and serious wine lists. The annual Leicestershire and Rutland Restaurant Awards should be applauded for bringing these restaurants to a wider audience.”
Stapleford Park provided the ideal setting in which to hold these Awards. As one of England's finest stately homes, it offers a stunning blend of architecture, history and landscape. Set in 500 acres of woods, parkland, and beautiful gardens and with a heritage stretching back to the 14th century, the setting is unique.
The evening got underway with a Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne reception with a selection of canapés in The Saloon before guests were led into The Grand Hall for a 4-course gourmet dinner devised by executive chef of Stapleford Park, Wayne Vickerage. The menu included a terrine of smoked and confit salmon with herb crème fraiche followed by guinea fowl, sautéed spinach, fondant potato and wild mushrooms followed by a white chocolate mousse with griottine cherries and a selection of English cheeses to finish. Drinks throughout the evening were supplied by Katnook Estate, Stella Artois, Brahma, Woodford Reserve, Illy Coffee and Hildon Mineral Water.
The nominees were announced and the winning restaurants were presented with their awards after dinner and live music followed until 1am. Hosted by television personality, Sarah Greene, the Awards are an enormously positive profile raiser for the region. Sarah commented: “The diversity of the cuisine in the region is definitely something to be celebrated.”
The winners are…
LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2006
Winner: The Horse & Trumpet, Medbourne, www.horseandtrumpet.com
Winner of last year’s Best Fine Dining title and named in three Award wins this year, The Horse & Trumpet restaurant with rooms continues to receive the national acclaim it deserves. The restaurant was named a finalist in the "Best new Restaurant of the Year 2004" by Hotel & Restaurant Magazine and was more recently named Best Newcomer in Leicestershire by the Good Food Guide 2005.
Last year’s winner, Hambleton Hall, stepped down from the Awards this year (under the competition rules) and joined this year’s judging panel. This award was presented by Kevin Harris from title sponsor, Cooper Parry.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Cini in Enderby; Firenze in Kibworth; Grayson in Quorn; Le Bistrot Pierre in Leicester.
BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT
Winner: The Tiffin, Leicester, www.the-tiffin.co.uk
This award was presented by Sam and Amy from Heart 106.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Friends in Leicester; Grand Durbar in Leicester; Little India in Arnesby; Red Veil in Leicester.
BEST SERVICE sponsored by braemoregemini
Winner: Firenze, Kibworth Beauchamp, www.firenze.co.uk
This award was presented by Ben Walsgrove from braemoregemini.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Ashfields in Earl Shilton; Grayson in Quorn; Le Bistrot Pierre in Leicester; Louis Scott Restauarant in Newtown Linford.
BEST GASTRO PUB sponsored by Barker Ross Recruitment
Winner: The Olive Branch, Clipsham, Rutland
www.theolivebranchpub.com
The Olive Branch was the winner of this award for the second year running. This award was presented by Paul Ross from Barker Ross.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Fox & Hounds in Knossington; Hammer & Pincers in Wymeswold; Red Lion in Stathern; The Queen’s Head in Belton.
BEST CITY BUSINESS LUNCH
Winner: Watsons, Leicester, www.watsons-restaurant.co.uk
Voted for by Cooper Parry’s business clients, Watsons took the top honours for the second year running. This award was presented by Andy Gilgrist from the Leicester Mercury.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Casa Romana in Leicester; Le Bistrot Pierre in Leicester; The Case in Leicester.
YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR 2006 sponsored by Harvey Ingram LLP
Winner: Nick Stuart from Horse and Trumpet, Medbourne, www.horseandtrumpet.com
New for 2006, this aspirational award encourages young talented chefs to enter a competition which concluded with a live cook-off. The Horse & Trumpet returned to the stage for the second time on the evening to collect their Young Chef of the Year award from Rafique Patel of Harvey Ingram.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: James Wilde from Firenze in Kibworth Beauchamp; Joseph Nolan from Gibson’s Grey Lady in Newtown Linford; Liam Mahoney from The Bradgate in Newtown Linford.
BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD RESTAURANT
Winner: Louis Scott Restaurant, Newtown Linford, www.louisscott.co.uk
New for 2006, this award was presented by Lucy Kite from ITV Central News.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Ashfields in Earl Shilton; Covati’s in Market Harborough; The Woodhouse in Woodhouse Eaves; Timo in Leicester.
BEST NEWCOMER sponsored by Likeminded
Winner: Red Veil, Leicester, www.redveil.co.uk
This award was presented by Steve Noss from Likeminded.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Alloro in Leicester, La Table d’Yves in Thorpe Satchville; Old Bull’s Head in Woodhouse Eaves; The Manor House at Quorn.
BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Winner: The Manor House at Quorn, www.themanorhouseatquorn.co.uk
New for 2006, this award was presented by Anne Davies from BBC East Midlands Today.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: ASK in Leicester; Ashfields in Earl Shilton; Louis Scott in Newtown Linford; Pizza Express in Leicester.
BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT sponsored by Angelo Po
Winner: Horse and Trumpet, Medbourne, www.horseandtrumpet.com
Winner of this award for the second year running, The Horse & Trumpet returned to the stage for the third time on the evening to collect their award from Adam Smith-Williams of Angelo Po.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Grayson in Quorn; Kilworth House in North Kilworth; Stapleford Park in Stapleford near Melton Mowbray; Nick’s in Oakham.
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
Winner: Le Bistrot Pierre, Leicester, www.lebistrotpierre.co.uk
Le Bistrot Pierre, which has just undergone a major refurbishment, took the title for the second consecutive year. This award was presented by Ben Jackson from BBC Radio Leicester.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Ashfields in Earl Shilton; Barcelonatta in Leicester; Fat Cat in Leicester; Halli in Leicester.
BEST DRINKS/WINE LIST sponsored by Katnook Estate
Winner: Firenze, Kibworth Beauchamp, www.firenze.co.uk
Scooping its second award of the evening, the Firenze team were presented with their award by Simon Hill from Katnook Estate.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Grayson in Quorn; Nick’s in Oakham; Red Lion in Sibbertoft; The Queen’s Head in Belton.
BEST LOCAL PRODUCE MENU sponsored by East Midlands Fine Foods
Winner: The Olive Branch, Clipsham, Rutland,
www.theolivebranchpub.com
This award aims to recognise home grown produce and reward those venues who promote the same through their menus. Last year’s winner, The Pump Room in Ashby de la Zouch, stepped down this year (under the competition rules) and joined this year’s judging panel. This award was presented by Paul Cullen from east Midlands Fine Foods.
Runners up, in alphabetical order, were: Hammer and Pincers in Wymeswold; King’s Arms in Wing, Rutland; The Greyhound Inn in Burton on the Wolds; The Red House in Nether Broughton.
The winner of the voting prize draw was also announced on the evening. Sally Hopkinson from Wymeswold was the lucky winner of a luxury gourmet break for two at Hambleton Hall – winner of last year’s Leicestershire & Rutland Restaurant of the Year, Best Service and Best Drinks/Wine List awards.
A charity raffle was also held in support of the Matt Hampson Trust Fund. Matt Hampson was a Leicester Tigers and England under-21 rugby professional who recently and very sadly suffered a serious neck injury in an England under-21 training session and now remains paralyzed from the neck down. The Fund is raising money for his ongoing care which is estimated at £6m - £8m for his entire life.
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