The best restaurants, chefs and produce from the county have been celebrated at the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2018/19.
The Derngate auditorium at Royal & Derngate was transformed into a glittering awards venue for the night.
The Palmichael at Burton Latimer was awarded Restaurant of the Year, The White Horse at Kings Sutton was Food Pub of the Year and Voujon from Long Buckby was World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year.
The Young Chef of the Year award went to Arturs Dzerins from The Hopping Hare who is about to start a new role at Hibiscus.
Chef of the Year was Harvey Lockwood from Murrays at Whittlebury Hall.
Awards patron William Sitwell raised a laugh when he referenced his recent email comments criticising vegans that cost him the editorship of Waitrose Food Magazine: “It’s nice to be here. It’s nice to be anywhere these days. Any vegan restaurants need a washer up? I’ll do anything!”
An award also went to Richard Curtis from Northampton College (which also provided serving and kitchen staff to work alongside Chef Lee Scott for the event) recognising his contribution as a catering mentor and formative influence in creating the awards ten years ago.
Lord Lieutenant David Laing also announced that the Northamptonshire – Britain’s Best Surprise! marketing campaign would focus on the food and drink sector next year, which promises to bring the county’s culinary skills to national attention.
Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2018
