You might find that getting a table at some of the county’s finest food venues has just got a little bit tougher after the winners in the dining categories of the inaugural Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards were finally announced!The awards, devised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd, were aimed at celebrating excellence among the county’s eateries and to give a public pat on the back to those owners, managers and landlords who strive to offer their customers the perfect dining experience. 

The title of ‘Restaurant of the Year’ went to The Vine House Hotel and Restaurant in Paulerspury and Yvette Jones, who accepted the trophy on behalf of owners Marcus and Julie Springett, said they were delighted. “Marcus and Julie are absolutely passionate about what they do – it is their life! The food, the people, the service – they’re the key ingredients in running a successful restaurant and receiving this award is proof that they’re getting it right. They’re absolutely thrilled and are looking forward to celebrating with the people of Northamptonshire!”

Meanwhile The White Swan at Harrringworth was named ‘Pub or Bar Restaurant of the Year’, and its owners, husband and wife team Adam and Gina Longden, were almost speechless after hearing their names announced. “It’s amazing” said Adam. “We often work seven days a week and this is real reward for all that effort, especially looking after three kids as well!” Added Gina “Whether we’ve got two people or fifty-two people in the pub, we’d like to think we give them the service they deserve and perhaps that’s what the judges recognised when they came to visit – we’re just delighted!”

The results were announced by double Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing to an expectant audience of more than 400 guests at last night’s ‘Celebration of Northamptonshire’ dinner at Althorp (Friday 9^th October). Marcus, whose latest book ‘Nutmeg and Custard’ has just been published, said he was honoured to be part of the competition “I’m really very impressed with what’s being achieved here in Northamptonshire. I’ve always been keen on sourcing local and supporting local and these awards are a great way of promoting what’s on offer here. In fact, I’m thinking I should take the idea back to my home county of Lancashire to get them to do the same!”

The three judges who were charged with difficult but rather enjoyable task of ‘mystery shopping’ the ten finalists were celebrity chef and former Northamptonshire resident Sophie Grigson, food journalist Joanna Roughton and Duncan Taylor, whose The Bluebell Inn in Henley-in-Arden was the winner of the Best Dining Pub/Inn in the Coventry and Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards in both 2008 and 2009, so a man perfectly placed to judge what makes for a successful food pub. Said Duncan “Winning our award has been incredibly positive for us – great recognition for all the team, not to mention a huge boost to our business, as I’m sure it will be for the winners of these inaugural awards. I hope that a moment in the spotlight at such a glitzy affair, complete with celebrity chefs and local dignitaries, is fitting tribute to those whose work so often goes unrewarded.” Joanna’s praise was for the south Northamptonshire winners but she also commended all those who took part. “The Vine House are indeed worthy of their title but I should like to add that it was an extremely difficult task because the standard of all the finalists was so high. I was really very impressed with the quality of cooking and of the use of local ingredients and I hope these awards bring them all greater recognition. They certainly deserve it!” And Sophie added her particular commendation for the team at the White Swan “ This place is everything a pub-restaurant should be; warm and welcoming and serving local produce at its best.”

The results for the two categories are:

‘Restaurant of the Year’:
The Vine House Hotel and Restaurant, Paulerspury – winner
Oundle Mill, Oundle – runner-up

Other finalists (in alphabetical order):
Greens Restaurant and Bar, Northampton
Murrays at Whittlebury Hall, Whittlebury
The Church Restaurant, Northampton 

‘Pub or Bar Restaurant of the Year’:
The White Swan, Harringworth – winner
The Saracen’s Head, Little Brington – runner-up

Other finalists (in alphabetical order):
The Olde Red Lion, Kislingbury
The Red Lion, Sibbertoft
The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth

The competition’s co-ordinator, Rachel Mallows of ‘Rachel Mallows Services to Business’ said that the announcement of the winners was an exciting culmination to the whole awards “I’m absolutely delighted for those who’ve been successful and indeed for all those who have taken part. I think it’s only right that we should reward all those hard working chefs and restaurateurs for the excellence they achieve and it makes me proud to think that we have the kind of fine dining venues here in Northamptonshire to rival any in the country. I hope that the county’s many food lovers will now show their support by trying out the venues for themselves, if only to see if the judges made the right decisions!”

Meanwhile Kate Dent, Head of Tourism at Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd, said “What a fantastic climax to what has been such an exciting project for all of us, last night’s awards presentations really were the icing on the cake! We extend our huge congratulations to all the finalists and a special well done to the winners along with a vote of thanks to all the team at Rachel Mallows Services to Business for their invaluable coordination of these awards. All the businesses involved have impressed us with the excellent high standard of quality and service, what a perfect excuse for people to get out and about in Northamptonshire and try them out for themselves!”

“Absolutely wonderful!” and simply “Chuffed!” – those were the emotional expressions of delight from the winners of the “Best Local Produce” and “Best Drink” categories in the inaugural Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards.

The awards, devised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited, were established to celebrate all that is great about the county’s produce and drink.

The title of ‘Best Local Produce’ went to ‘Sauls of Spratton’ for their ‘Potted Beef’ and it is an award which owner Chris Saul says surpasses any international accolades they’ve received. “This really means the world to us. To be recognised in this way by our own county is just fabulous”. And it is the icing on the cake for the family firm after Chris’ daughter got married only last Saturday. “I delayed going on honeymoon to be here – but it’s been worth it!” said Emma, after picking up her prize at the culmination of the two-day culinary festival that was the Holdenby Food Show.

Meanwhile the title of ‘Best Drink’ went to Northampton’s Frog Island Brewery for their beer ‘Fire-Bellied Toad’. “It’s very difficult to produce a good beer using just a single hop” said brewery partner Mandy Littler “but we’ve proved that it can be done and we’re delighted to receive this award. No doubt we’ll be opening a few bottles to celebrate!

Those charged with the difficult but enjoyable task of choosing the winners from the shortlist of nine were TV chef Sophie Grigson, the editor of Waitrose Food Illustrated William Sitwell and chef Stephen Bulmer of Brookhall Cookery School. Said Sophie “It’s been very exciting to return to the county I used to call home and to see how much progress has been made in the culinary world in the last decade or so. I’m a keen supporter of all things local and I think these awards are a fantastic way of helping to promote the excellence that Northamptonshire offers”. The winners and runners-up were then presented with their bespoke Collyweston-slate trophies by Adam Gray, Head Chef of London restaurant ‘Rhodes Twenty Four’ in front of an expectant audience of around 150 who filled the ‘Cooks Courtyard’ marquee in the stableyard of the Elizabethan house.

The results for the two categories are

‘Best Local Produce’

Potted Beef from Sauls of Spratton  – winner
Mellow Yellow rapeseed oil from Farrington Oils – runner-up

Other finalists
Dundee Cake from Towcester Country Markets
Scarborough Fair Jelly from M.U.T.T.S.
The Boozy Dark Breakfast marmalade from The Pickled Village 

‘Best Drink’

Fire-Bellied Toad Beer from Frog Island Brewery – winner
Northamptonshire Bitter from Hoggleys Brewery – runner-up 

Other finalists
Champs D’Amours Sparkling White from Fleur Fields
Tickled Pink Sparkling Rosé from Welland Valley Vineyard

 The competition’s co-ordinator, Rachel Mallows from ‘Rachel Mallows Services to Business’ was delighted for those who took home the trophies but believes Northamptonshire as a whole is the real winner “These awards have been a fantastic celebration of the best that is available – on the doorstep – to the county’s lovers of food and drink. It’s testament to the high standard of all our finalists that our esteemed panel of judges had such a difficult task in selecting their winners”.

Those were sentiments echoed by André Gonzales de Savage representing Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd “I have been so impressed by the passion and drive from all those who have taken part in these brand new – and much-needed – awards. As an organisation, NEL is at the forefront of promoting business and tourism and this project has been, quite literally, an exciting opportunity to taste the delights of our wonderful county!”

The awards, devised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd, are aimed at celebrating excellence among the county’s eateries and giving a public pat on the back to those owners, managers and landlords who strive to offer their customers the perfect dining experience.
Of the 40 entries from across the county, vying for the title of ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and the ‘Pub or Bar Restaurant of the Year’, a shortlist of 10 entries has now been chosen by a select panel of judges, including David Kennedy, Chief Executive of Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire Ambassador – and former restaurant proprietor – Nigel Hollick. Said Nigel “I was very impressed by the number and standard of entries into this competition, especially given that this is its inaugural year. We have some fantastic places to eat here in the county and it’s great to think that these awards will give them the boost they rightly deserve.”

The chosen finalists in the ‘Restaurant of the Year’ category are:
Greens Restaurant and Bar, Northampton
Murrays at Whittlebury Hall, Whittlebury
Oundle Mill, Oundle
The Church Restaurant, Northampton  
The Vine House Hotel and Restaurant, Paulerspury

While the shortlist in the ‘Pub or Bar Restaurant of the Year’  are:
The Olde Red Lion, Kislingbury
The Red Lion, Sibbertoft
The Saracen’s Head, Little Brington
The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth
The White Swan, Harringworth

Adrian Booth from Greens Restaurant and Bar, Northampton said “It’s fantastic for all the people who work here.  Our hard work to revise our menus is paying off.”  He added, “These awards are a great way of letting people know about the great food and produce that’s available in the county.”

To show your support, simply log on to www.letyourselfgrow.co.uk from Thursday 20 August 2009 and select your favourite eatery from the shortlist by following the details on the website. You have until mid-September to make your nomination count.  All ten venues will then be ‘mystery shopped’ by two expert judges before the winners in each category are selected and those will be announced at the Celebrate Northamptonshire dinner on 9 October 2009 to be held at Althorp.  Details are available at www.celebratenorthamptonshire.co.uk

The competition’s co-ordinator, Rachel Mallows, of Rachel Mallows: Services to Business said “We have such a high standard of food venues in the county – everything from village pubs offering great bar meals at great prices to haute cuisine to rival anything that the country has to offer. So as well as publicly recognizing the efforts of those who slave over the saucepans on our behalf, we hope that this competition is a reminder to Northamptonshire‘s food lovers that you don’t have to go far to enjoy a meal out that’s first-class!”     

Kate Dent, Head of Tourism at Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd, said: “These awards will play a vital role in our quality approach to tourism in Northamptonshire. The Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards are a perfect way of raising the profile of Northamptonshire whilst gaining much-needed publicity and ongoing support for all those who get involved.”

Full list of judges who took part were (in alphabetical order):

Wendy Carter – Shires Cookery School
Mike Coppock – Catering Manager, Northampton College
Nigel Hollick – Northamptonshire Ambassador, Commercial Director, Pollen Brooks Events
David Kennedy – Chief Exec, Northampton Borough Council
Amanda O’Hare – Image magazine
Alan Spooner – Business Times

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE’S TOP NINE PROVE THEY CAN STAND THE HEAT – AND GET TO STAY IN THE KITCHEN!

The oven gloves are now firmly on as the battle for the county’s highest culinary honours heats up!
Following an entertaining evening of deliberating, cogitating and digesting by a select panel of judges in the magnificent Elizabethan setting of Holdenby House , a shortlist of nine finalists  from across the county have been chosen in the brand new Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards. They will now go forward to fight it out for the title of ‘Best Local Produce’ and ‘Best Drink’ for 2009 later this month.

The Awards, which have been devised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd in partnership with the Holdenby Food Show, are aimed at celebrating all that is great about the county’s produce and drink. 

Everyone from farmers and growers, to bakers and brewers were invited to put forward their produce. The chosen finalists in the ‘Best Local Produce’ category are:

Dundee Cake from Towcester Country Markets
Mellow Yellow rapeseed oil from Farrington Oils
Potted Beef from Sauls of Spratton
Scarborough Fair Jelly from M.U.T.T.S
The Boozy Dark Breakfast marmalade from The Pickled Village

While the shortlist of finalists in the ‘Best Drink’ category are (in alphabetical order): 
Champs D’Amours Sparkling White from Fleur Fields
Fire-bellied Toad Beer from Frog Island Brewery
Northamptonshire Bitter from Hoggleys Brewery
Tickled Pink Sparkling Rosé from Welland Valley Vineyard

Duncan Farrington from Farrington Oils said “This is absolutely fantastic.  Local support is vital to us.  We’re proud of Northamptonshire and proud to be a finalist”.  Meanwhile Julie Hoggley, who produces Northamptonshire Bitter said, “Brilliant!  It’s just what we wanted.  We’re extremely pleased to be a finalist in these awards, and we’re looking forward to the public tasting and the final at the Holdenby Food Show”.

Those charged with the difficult, but mouth-watering, task of picking their favourites from over fifty entries into the county-wide competition, included Northampton optometrist – and former BBC Masterchef finalist – Brian Tompkins and Saints, Scotland and British Lions prop Euan Murray.  Said Brian “Having been on the fringe of Northamptonshire’s food scene for more than 15 years, I consider it an honour to have played my part in such an awards scheme.  It makes me really proud to know that we have so much to shout about in the county.” Meanwhile Euan is clearly developing a passion for his newfound local cuisine: “Coming from the north of the border, but now calling the county home, it’s been great to experience a true taste of Northamptonshire!”     

The competition’s co-ordinator, Rachel Mallows, from Rachel Mallows: Services to Business, said every entry deserved to win. “We thought the standards would be high but even we were surprised by the effort and enthusiasm from everyone who took part.  The competition has proved that Northamptonshire can boast plenty of fantastic, fresh and locally-grown wares  and choosing  our  finalists was a really difficult process  -  I’m just glad I wasn’t one of the judges! ”  

Visitors to the Holdenby Food Show on 30^th and 31^st August will have their chance to taste the nine short-listed products before the final expert panel of judges, including the former head of Raymond Blanc’s cookery school Stephen Bulmer, announce the winners in the “Best Local Produce” and the “Best Drink” categories.

Kate Dent, Head of Tourism at Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd, said: “These awards will play a vital role in our quality approach to tourism in Northamptonshire. The Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards are a perfect way of raising the profile of Northamptonshire whilst gaining much-needed publicity and ongoing support for all those who get involved.”