Chesterfield’s popular Food and Drink Awards ceremony has, for the fifth year running, been declared a sell-out.
More than 250 guests, including the town’s restaurateurs, food producers, publicans and chefs, will come together to celebrate the success of the town’s food and drink industry.
The glittering awards ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday 25 October at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building, will be hosted by the ‘Queen of Couture Cakes’ Mich Turner MBE. She is renowned for her award winning cake creations, creating masterpieces for the likes of David Beckham, Gordon Ramsey, Madonna and even Her Majesty The Queen.
Mich will announce the winners of 13 categories at the awards, including the Food Hero of the Year award which recognises a local business or individual who has made an impact on the local food scene.
A total of 29 businesses have been shortlisted across 13 categories, with Casa Hotel, Junction Bar, Bottle and Thyme and The Lilypad Café being nominated across multiple categories. Cocina at Casa Hotel has once again been nominated for the coveted Restaurant of the Year 2017 title and hopes to retain it for a third year running.
The glitzy black tie event night will be fully catered and hosted by the college’s staff and catering and hospitality students enabling them to gain real world experience in their chosen career.
Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, commented: “Chesterfield’s food and drink scene is getting bigger and better by the day, with new bars and restaurants opening regularly. Each year the awards sell out faster than the previous year and 2017 has been no exception. The Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards are a great way to celebrate Chesterfield and its thriving hospitality scene. The awards are a highlight of the year for the sector and promise to be a great night.”
The finalists in each category are:
Restaurant of the Year - sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Café/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by arvato
Pub / Bar of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
Best Newcomer - sponsored by BHP Accountants
Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Best Out of Town (within 10 miles of Chesterfield) – sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants
International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Family Friendly Award - sponsored by Jumble Creative Design
Conference Venue of the Year - sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Food Producer of the Year – presented by Chesterfield College
Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, The Parish Church of St Mary & All Saints, Casa Hotel, Owen Taylor & Sons, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan, Franklin and Sons Ltd, City Taxis, Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, Addooco, Steve Faulkner and Reflections.
