Cocina takes Restaurant of the Year title for the second year running
Published On Sunday 30 Oct 2016 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
Cocina at Casa Hotel has taken the top title in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards for the second year running.
The 2 Rosette, 4-star restaurant was one of 13 winners announced at the town’s fourth annual Food and Drink Awards, which were held on Wednesday 26 October at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building.
Judges described their dining experience at Cocina as ‘a great experience and a fantastic meal. The professional staff offered good customer service. Food was presented with flare and creative style that worked well and the menu was innovative with great choice.’
In addition to the prestigious Chesterfield Restaurant of the Year title the four-star hotel, which is owned by local entrepreneur Steve Perez, also scooped the Conference Venue of the Year title at the glittering awards ceremony.
Other winners to retain their title at the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include, Delhi 41 which has been Best International Restaurant of the Year in 2014. 2015 and 2016, and The Red Lion Bar and Bistro at Peak Edge Hotel which retained its Gastro Pub of the Year title for a second year running.
Simon Davidson of R P Davidson cheese Factor took the coveted Food Hero title at this year’s awards. Simon joined the family business based in Chesterfield Market Hall 30 years ago after leaving the army. He remains there today where he now runs the business and is a familiar face and voice on the market as well as in the town.
In total 14 food and drink establishments, producers and individuals were named as Chesterfield’s finest at the sell-out awards ceremony hosted by celebrity chef and couture cake maker to royalty and the stars, Mich Turner.
Mich Turner said: “There is clearly a cornucopia of food talent in Chesterfield, and the Food and Drink Awards brought us a banquet! I was thrilled to see the emerging taskforce in the town’s food and drink sector actively involved in the awards ceremony as well as those who have established family businesses. What a wonderful awards ceremony – an inspiration and celebration of the past, present and future.”
Organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with Chesterfield College, more than 100 hospitality students prepared and served the food on the evening for 250 guests at the events which, once again, was a complete sell-out.
Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College said: “The Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the talent and commitment that goes into making our local gastronomic industry great. Every year this celebration helps us to inspire our catering and hospitality students and apprentices to become future award winners. Their involvement in competing for young chef of the year or cooking and serving guests at the event allows them to showcase what they are capable of to the best employers in the area.”
Organiser of the awards Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “Once again the Food and Drink Awards were a runaway success. This year we had more nominations than previous years and also more businesses put forward for the awards, which is testament to Chesterfield’s food and drink scene. The support across Chesterfield has been phenomenal, with people keen to see the town, and the businesses and people working within its hospitality sector succeed and grow.”
Check out the full list of winners
Article from Destination Chesterfield - View Original Article
| BEAR named finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards Midlands, UK - BEAR has been named a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Equity-Backed Entrepreneur Read The Article | |
| Celebrate The Summer Season At Award-Winning Fischer's Baslow Hall What better way to enjoy summer than an experience at Fischers Baslow Hall. Whether you're venturing for a long-earned getaway or simply calling for Read The Article | |
| The Ashford Arms Shortlisted For Best Country Pub In The Great British Pub Awards 2025 The Ashford Arms, a beautifully restored country pub with rooms in Ashford-in-the-Water, has been shortlisted in the Best Country Pub category at the Read The Article | |
| The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow Wins Gold at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025 The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow has been awarded Gold in the Taste of England category in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 Read The Article | |
| Top Nottingham chef celebrates one year with star collaborations The highly successful first year in business of a popular restaurant in Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate is being celebrated with a unique series of guest chef collaborations. Read The Article | |
| Casa Hotel Celebrates 15 Years of Hospitality Excellence in Chesterfield and Welcomes 370000th Guest Casa Hotel is celebrating 15 years of success and has welcomed its 370,000th visitor this month, having firmly established itself Read The Article | |
| Experience Golfing Bliss at Peak Edge Hotel with the Stay and Golf for Two Package For golf lovers seeking a perfect escape, Peak Edge Hotel is delighted to offer a Stay and Golf for Two package, providing a seamless blend of relaxation Read The Article | |
| Derby's Cathedral Quarter Hotel reveals fresh new look and now proudly serves Starbucks The Cathedral Quarter Hotel, a Grade II listed landmark in Derby's city centre, has unveiled a refreshed new look following a Read The Article | |
| Get Ready For National Bakewell Tart Day On 25th June 2025 The Bakewell Tart Shop, the first business to create and sell Bakewell Tarts more than 100 years ago, has announced that National Bakewell Tart Day will take place on Wednesday Read The Article | |
| Losehill House Hotel Celebrates 111 Years of History, Heritage, and Hospitality in Derbyshire Losehill House Hotel & Spa, one of the Peak District's most beloved luxury boutique hotels, and the only 4-star hotel with a spa, is celebrating Read The Article | |