2017
Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards Winners and Finalists 2017
Restaurant of the Year –sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Blu Bistro and Coffee House – Winner
Cocina at Casa Hotel
Lombardi’s
Adam Warwick, Head Chef at Blu Bistro & Coffee House: “We’ve been nominated four years running so to finally win is incredible. Teamwork is the key. Everything we do, all 15 of us, we do together. We work as a team and it’s paid off… finally.”
Café and Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
H&F Vintage Tearooms
The Lilypad Cafe & Restaurant – Winner
Stephenson’s Tea and Coffee House
Emily Chapman, owner of The Lilypad Café and Restaurant, said; “It’s amazing to win. It feels incredible – especially after winning Best Newcomer of the Year in 2016. Never being boring and keeping ahead is the key to success.”
Gastro Pub of the Year –sponsored by Arvato
Chandlers Bar
The Market Pub – Winner
The Rectory
Demi McLuskey, Manager of The Market Pub, said: “There are seven chefs at the Market Pub who are led by head chef Tracey. We all work closely together which is important in such a small kitchen. We love what we do and we’re all massive foodies; which all helps!
Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones
Einstein’s
Junction Bar – Winner
The Rose and Crown, Brampton
Michael Walker, Owner of Junction Bar, said: “It’s an amazing achievement ahead of our first birthday in November. Chatsworth Road is on the up and we wanted to introduce a premium bar alongside the real ale offering in the area and it is working very well.”
Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by Barber Harrison Platt
Bottle and Thyme – Winner
Odyssey Greek Restaurant
The Spire by Stephenson’s
Gavin Grainger, joint owner of Bottle & Thyme, said: “ We hope we’ve brought something different to Chesterfield’s nightlife. We want to appeal to to a range of ages with our cocktails and live music.”
Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Bottle and Thyme – Winner
Junction Bar
The Lilypad Cafe & Restaurant
Gavin Grainger, joint owner of Bottle & Thyme, said: “It’s a small, family run business; even our parents are involved. Our main focus is on creating a positive, happy environment for people to come and have a good time – that’s why we have focused on customer service in our first year of opening.”
Best Out of Town – sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants
The Bateman’s Mill Hotel, Old Tupton
Hotel Van Dyk, Clowne
Stones Restaurant, Matlock – Winner
Kevin Stone, Owner of Stones Restaurant said: “We’re striving to do even better and give our guests the best experience. We’re a family run business that is small, approachable and we have amazing food that keeps people coming through the door.”
Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year – presented by Chesterfield College
Granny Mary’s Original Recipes
Northern Tea Merchants
Teresa Lambarelli’s – Winner
Teresa Lambarelli, owner of Teresa Lambarelli’s said: “It’s fantastic to have a hat trick of wins. Started by my father more than 40 years ago, we were the first pizzeria in Chesterfield. Now we make and supply pasta sauces throughout the UK and have just opened a pasta and prosecco bar on Chatsworth Road. I enjoy what I do and I have loyal customers that return to me time and time again. I have a great team who are helping me succeed and I wouldn’t be achieving such a level of success without them all.”
Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by The Parish Church of St. Mary and All Saints
Rhoda Malova
Eben Mellor
Hannah Turner – Winner
“The cook off was really intense! Although it went much better than I thought it would and I think that’s the best I have ever done with the dish. I love getting to know different recipes and learning different methods. That’s how I decided on my menu for the judges. I knew it would be fun to make and I would get to try out new techniques.” – Hannah Turner
International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Delhi 41 – Winner
Nonnas
O-Tokuda
Azmular Rahman, Manager of Delhi 41 said: “Every year we look forward to the competition to make sure we’re doing the right thing. The Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards are the benchmark of our success to ensure we’re continuing to do things well.”
Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design
Chesters – Winner
The Little Castle
The Manor at Brampton
Chris Ioannides, owner of Chesters Restaurant and Takeaway, said: “We’re a family based restaurant and are very proud to win the award. We concentrate on making families and kids feel welcome and try to make it a place where adults can enjoy a drink and children can enjoy playing.”
Conference Venue of the Year – sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Casa Hotel – Winner
Peak Edge Hotel
Proact Stadium
Adam Yeomans, Casa Conferencing and Banqueting Supervisor, said: “I am delighted to win the award. Most of the success comes from behind the scenes and being attentive to the guests.”
Chesterfield Food Hero – sponsored by Casa Hotel
Paul Maude – Career Pathway Leader Hospitality & Catering, Chesterfield College
On winning his award Paul Maude, whose career has spanned nearly 40 years, said: “It’s a great honour to train the next generation of chefs and see them succeed and qualify. I am emotional and honoured to win the award.”
