The winners and nominees of this year’s Leicestershire & Rutland Restaurant Awards, sponsored for the third consecutive year by leading business advisors, Cooper Parry, were announced last night in the stunning surrounds of Stapleford Park Country House Hotel & Sporting Estate.
Kevin Harris of title sponsors, Cooper Parry, said “As supporters of private businesses, we at Cooper Parry are honoured to be playing a key role in helping the Awards achieve success, and helping raise the profile and the profits of the businesses involved. It is great to see that with these Awards we are finally celebrating our achievements and that restaurateurs are receiving the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication. We congratulate them all.”
The public had a six week period in which to cast their votes online following the launch party held at the City Rooms back in June. The top three nominated restaurants in most of the categories were then visited anonymously throughout August and September by independent judging panels consisting of national, trade and local food writers and journalists, including representatives from Olive Magazine, Foodie, Sawday Pub Guide, Square Meal, BBC East Midlands Today, Leicester Mercury, Sabras Sound, and UK Metro.
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 and provided the perfect backdrop for the glitzy award ceremony.
The evening got underway with a Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne reception and a selection of canapés in The Saloon accompanied by dramatic sounds of Bhangra before guests were led into The Grand Hall for a 3-course gourmet dinner devised by Executive Chef of Stapleford Park, Wayne Vickerage.
The menu began with a choice of Terrine of Conft Pork with a Sherry & Lentil Vinaigrette Salad or White Bean and Truffle Veloute, followed by Braised Lamb, Savoy Cabbage, Cepe and Alsace Bacon Casserole and a delicious dessert of Blueberry Cheesecake with Yoghurt Sorbet. Drinks throughout the evening were supplied by Valdivieso, Stella Artois, Brahma and Hildon Water. IIlly Coffee and petits fours added the finishing touches.
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, Mark Curry, the awards are an enormously positive profile raiser for the region. Mark commented:
And this year’s winners are…..
Leicestershire & Rutland Restaurant of the Year 2007
Sponsored by Cooper Parry
Firenze www.firenze.co.uk
Runners up in alphabetical order: Grayson, Hambleton Hall
Best Asian Restaurant 2007
The Tiffin www.the-tiffin.co.uk
Runners up in alphabetical order: Curry Lounge, Dining Room, Ek Maya
Best Fine Dining Restaurant 2007
Sponsored by Angelo Po
Hambleton Hall www.hambletonhall.com
Runners up in alphabetical order: Grayson, Horse & Trumpet, The Woodhouse
Best Cityl Business Lunch 2007
Sponsored by Cooper Parry
Watson’s www.watsons-restaurant.co.uk
Runners up in alphabetical order: Casa Romana, Le Bistrot Pierre, The Case
Best Value For Money 2007
Le Bistrot Pierre www.lebistrotpierre.co.uk
Runners up in alphabetical order: Alloro, Ascough’s Bistro, Las Iguanas
Best Gastro Pub 2007
Sponsored by BWB Consulting
The Olive Branch www.theolivebranchpub.com
Runners up in alphabetical order: The Hammer & Pincers, The Old Bulls Head, The Queens Head at Belton
Best Drinks/Wine List 2007
Sponsored by Valdivieso
Hambleton Hall www.hambletonhall.com
Runners up in alphabetical order: Grayson, The Lake Isle Restaurant, The Red Lion at Sibbertoft,
Best Service 2007
Sponsored by Heart 106
Hambleton Hall www.hambletonhall.com
Runners up in alphabetical order: Firenze, Louis Scott, The Woodhouse
Best Newcomer 2007
Sponsored by Likeminded
The Quarter www.thequarterleicester.co.uk
Runners up in alphabetical order: Ascough’s Bistro, Houghtons at the Pear Tree, Saffron Blue
Best Local Produce Menu 2007
Sponsored by East Midlands Food & Drink Festival
The Red Lion Inn, Stathern www.theredlioninn.co.uk
Runners up in alphabetical order: Hammer & Pincers, The Greyhound Inn – Burton on the Wolds, The Manor House at Quorn
Most Family Friendly Restaurant 2007
Sponsored by Fosse Shopping Park
Pizza Express
Runners up in alphabetical order: ASK, The Manor House at Quorn, Zizzi
Leicestershire & Rutland Young Chef of the Year 2007
Sponsored by Harvey Ingram LLP
Findlay Wood – The Queens Head www.thequeenshead.org
Runners up in alphabetical order: Max Faulkner – Firenze, David Flannery – Fusions, Tim Sandercock – The Red Lion, Sibbertoft, Rama Yadar – Saffron Blue,
Best Neighbourhood Restaurant 2007
The Woodhouse www.thewoodhouse.co.uk
Runners up in alphabetical order: Ashfields, The Lake Isle Restaurant, Timo
The winner of the voting prize draw was also announced on the evening. Julie Fancourt was the lucky winner of a luxury weekend for two at Stapleford Park Country House Hotel & Sporting Estate. Julie will receive two nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast, dinner in the house each evening plus a bottle of champagne in the room on arrival and a treatment each in the new spa.
Stapleford Park general manager, Kenneth Sharp, commented: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Leicestershire & Rutland Restaurant Awards again this year. We’re looking forward to welcoming Julie to Stapleford Park very soon.”
A charity raffle was also held in support of Children’s Choice Campaign an initiative launched by Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Leicester Mercury which raised ?? to go towards the £300,000 needed to introduce a kitchen for the ward which will be able to provide a range of food at short notice to meet the needs of the children.
The Awards Ceremony is held in conjunction with the Leicestershire Food Week and the East Midlands Food & Drink Festival – one of the largest provincial festivals in Europe and fell during the British Food Fortnight. What better time to tell everyone how great the Leicestershire and Rutland restaurant scene is?
Ends
| 