2016
Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards Winners and Finalists 2016
Restaurant of the Year –sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Blu Bistro and Coffee House
Calabria
Cocina at Casa Hotel – Winner
Krirstine Vinogradova restaurant manager and Mark Ingram, conference and banqueting supervisor, said: “We’re very excited and proud of the whole team. We are over the moon. It is very much deserved. We’re a friendly team and very passionate about the food we serve and the service we deliver. It’s a fantastic hotel but the passion of the staff make it award winning.
Café and Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier
H&F Vintage Tearooms
Northern Tea Merchants
Stephenson’s Coffee Shop – Winner
Stephenson’s also won the coveted Café and Tear Room of the Year title in 2013 and 2014. The CFDA16 judges described Stephenson’s Coffee House as ‘as having a great choice of food and lovely professional staff.’
Claire and Sam Wood, owners of Stephenson’s said: “This is the third year running for the mum and son team to win Stephenson’s Coffee House and we are delighted that the people of Chesterfield have voted for us again.”
Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Arvato
Chandlers
Red Lion Bar and Bistro – Winner
The Tickled Trout
The CFDA16 judges said ‘the ambience of the dining experience at Red Lion Bar and Bistro was very good; also commenting that the food was very rich in flavours with good presentation.’
Eddie Kilty, Head Chef, and Angela Syddall Sales and Events Manager, said: “We are delighted to win Gastro Pub of the Year. The competition in Chesterfield is growing. We have a lot of plans for the pub regarding food and service, so the next few months will be really exciting.”
Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
Barca Bar
The Market Pub
Rose and Crown – Brampton – Winner
The CFDA16 judges described the Rose and Crown as ‘a real local pub with a great range of local beer.’
Matthew Randall, Manager of the Rose and Crown, Brampton “It feels absolutely incredible to win Pub of the Year. The Rose & Crown is absolutely a community pub where people meet, relax and chill out. There is always a great atmosphere.”
Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by Barber Harrison Platt
Einstein’s
The Craft Burger Company
The Lilypad Cafe – Winner
The CFDA16 judges said of The Lilypad Café: “This business has become a big favourite in Chesterfield very quickly. It has lovely, very different food and clearly sources as much as it can locally.”
Emily Chapman and Ian Woodhead, co-directors of Lilypad Café, said: “It feels unbelievable to win. A year ago we were setting up and starting our journey, so to see our hard work paying off is fantastic. We started our journey in Australia and recreated it in Chesterfield by putting a new spin on it. People are loving it.
Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Chandlers
Cocina at Casa Hotel
H&F Vintage Tearooms – Winner
The CFDA16 judges described staff at H&F Vintage Tearooms as ‘top quality, friendly, professional and responsive to everyone’s needs.’
Sharon Hilton, chef and Luis Catalano manager at H&F Vintage Tea Rooms, said: “It’s amazing to win. We cannot believe it. Everyone who works at the tearoom loves it as well as us and this filters downs to our customers.”
Best Out of Town – presented by Chesterfield College
The Tickled Trout
The Red Lion Bar and Bistro
Stones – Winner
The CFDA16 judges described their visit to Stones as ‘an outstanding experience from first contact and throughout every stage of service. Staff were warm and attentive and very professional with excellent product knowledge. The standard of cooking, presentation and taste was exquisite.’
Kevin Stone restaurant owner and Rowena Pilsbury restaurant manager said: “We like to think we’re very hospitable to all customers and serve great food. We enjoy serving people. We aim to give them a great service from start to finish.”
Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by Casa Hotel
Lambs Cupcakes
Liza Bakes
Teresa Lambarelli – Winner
Teresa Lambarelli also won the coveted Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year title in 2013. In the last 12 months Teresa Lambarelli has increased her product range from seven to 32 products, increased staff numbers to four and employed an apprentice. There are also plans to expand distribution into the food service industry.
Teresa Lambarelli said: “There was a lot of high quality competition, so to regain the award is fantastic. We have authentic, healthy products that are a big hit with schools. It’s a dream come true. I love what I do.”
Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by The Parish Church of St. Mary and All Saints
Jordan Elliott – Winner
Josh Clark
Sophie Warren
Jordan Elliott (18) from Codnor is a level 2 catering student at Chesterfield College. He prepared roast rump of lamb and baby lettuce followed by strawberry and black pepper sponge cake for the judges.
Jordan Elliott said: “It feels unbelievable to win. I can’t believe that I’ve won. The course has been everything to me. I’ve always liked cooking. Eventually I’d like to own my own restaurant.”
International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Delhi 41 – Winner
Indian Blues
O-Tokuda
The CFDA16 judges described Delhi 41 as having ‘good, well-prepared food and knowledgeable staff who made a real effort.’
Shah Kamali, owner of Delhi 41, said; “We work as a team in our family-run business. We work hard to maintain the quality of our food. Our atmosphere and food really set us apart.”
Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design
Chesters – Winner
Harry Ramsdens at The Wingerworth
The Manor at Brampton
The CFDA16 judges loved the fact that the staff at Chesters interacted with the children and there was a good activity pack.
Chris Ioannides, owner of Chesters, said: “We’re really, really honoured to win the award. We feel privileged to know that people recognise all the hard work that we put into the restaurant. It’s a family business and we’re very hands-on. We know how important family time is, so we go out of our way to make it special for families.”
Conference Venue of the Year – sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Casa Hotel – Winner
Peak Edge Hotel
Proact Stadium
Casa Hotel was described as ‘a superb venue. Attention to detail is always top class. The ambience decor and quality is first class.’
Chesterfield Food Hero – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
Simon Davidson of R P Davidson Cheese Factor.
