If you want to make sure every penny spent really counts when you are looking for special food and drink in Northamptonshire then tonight is a very important night.
Royal & Derngate theatre is hosting the 18th Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards when the results of a year long search for the best of the county’s culinary culture will be revealed at a glittering ceremony.
Everything from fine dining to fancy cafe’s, gastro pubs to world cuisine, top chefs, up and coming talent and the tastiest produce is recognised and championed by the Mallows Company which organises the event to highlight Northamptonshire’s embarrassment of riches in this sector.
Some finalists have already been announced and will be waiting to find out who has won tonight. They are:
Booker Gastro Pub of the Year
The Bell, Little Addington
The Kings Head, Spratton
The Olde Red Lion, Kislingbury
The Red Lion, Brafield on the Green
The Snooty Fox, Lowick
Tollemache Arms, Harrington
Community Café of the Year
Birch Tree Café, Easton on the Hill
Genevieve’s Café, Northampton
Glebe Farm Tearoom, Kettering
Motte & Fig Coffee Shop & Deli, Higham Ferrers
The Loft Café, Moulton
Whites Kitchen, Earls Barton
Restaurant of the Year
Hibiscus Fine Dining
Nuovo
Stacie’s Italian, Rothwell
The Cedar Restaurant at Fawsley Hall
The Gallery at Escapade Silverstone
The Hopping Hare, Duston
World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year
Irmak Northampton Ltd
Saffron Fine Indian Dining, Brackley
Sakura Sushi Ltd., Northampton
Taste of India, Rothwell
The Raj, Kettering
The Royal Bengal, Kettering
The Spice Lounge, Higham Ferrers
Truva Lounge Cocktail Bar, Towcester
Artisan Local Product of the Year
GG’s Homemade Sourdough – Local Cheese & Jalapeño Organic Bloomer
Northampton Charcuterie Company – Northamptonshire Wild Venison Sausage Royale
Queen & Co (Made by the Beekeeper) – Mead Vinegar
JJ Cakes – Artisan Handcrafted Fruit Shaped Desserts
Your Cool – Scone & Jam Ice Cream
Choccies by Sara – The Blackcurrant & Cassis
Artisan Local Drink of the Year
Braybrooke Beer Co – Braybrooke Keller Lager
Merry Tom – Merry Tom Wine
New Lodge Vineyard – Pinky Boots
Queen & Co – Mead
Towcester Mill Brewery – Black Fire
Wharf Distillery – Caramel Latte Rum Liqueur
Artisan Local Vegetarian / Vegan Product of the Year
Millie’s Bakery – Rustic Sourdough
Northampton Cheese Company – Little Howie
GG’s Homemade Sourdough – Olive & Homegrown Rosemary Bloomer
Bakeworks Co – Cinnamon Roll
Your Cool – Dairy-free Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with Rum
Choccies by Sara – Brown Butter Salted Caramel
Food & Drink College Student of the Year
Leyli Khatiri, Tresham College
Maddie Lindsay, Tresham College
Sophia Hills, Moulton College
Sophie Kelly, Northampton College Kaiden McCreath, Northampton College
The following categories will be announced tonight:
Artisan Local Drink of the Year
Artisan Local Product of the Year
Artisan Local Vegetarian / Vegan Product of the Year
Booker Young Chef of the Year
Canapé Competition
Farming Environment Award
F&B Achiever of the Year
Healthy Food Producers
Healthy Food & Wellbeing Workplace
Local Food Hero of the Year
One to Watch
Outstanding Contribution to Food & Drink
Rising Star Award
Weetabix Sustainability Award Chef of the Year
Awards Director Rachel Mallows said: “These finalists represent some of the very best food and drink experiences Northamptonshire has to offer at the moment.”
A phalanx of major Northamptonshire companies and institutions have supported the awards throughout their history enabling the Mallows Company to create an event that is almost unique outside London.
For more details about the sponsors and the finalists and to check in on results visit the food awards Facebook page here and the find out more about past winners and how you can get involved visit the food awards website here.
