Our 11 finalists have been announced.

Finalists across 11 categories braved the wet and windy conditions last night to attend the glittering Eat Suffolk Food and Drink Awards.

Held at the home of headline sponsor the East of England Coop (Wherstead Park), guests were treated to a drinks reception before sitting down to a three course meal, crafted from East Anglian produce.

Editor of the EADT and Ipswich Star, Brad Jones, gave a speech at the beginning of the evening. Talking after the awards he said: “We should be rightly proud in Suffolk of our food and drink heritage. A lot goes on behind the scenes to put local produce on our tables, and I’m delighted that we have been able tonight to honour some of the many hard-working people who make Suffolk one of the finest places to eat in the country. I’d also like to thank all of our judges and sponsors for their support – especially our headline sponsor the East of England Co-op”

Eat editor, Charlotte Smith-Jarvis, added: “The growth in food and drink content across our printed and digital products is a reflection of the insatiable appetite our readers have for learning more about the wonderful bounty Suffolk has to offer. The Eat brand champions local restaurants, pubs, cafes and producers, and these awards are our way of really celebrating those businesses and individuals that make our food and drink scene one of the best in the UK. I’d like to congratulate every single finalist and winner for 2018. Together they help make eating out in the county very special indeed.”

Best Restaurant

Sponsored by Bidfood

Winner: The Unruly Pig

Finalists: The Bildeston Crown, 1921 Angel Hill, Tuddenham Mill

Family Dining Award

Sponsored by Greshams

Winner: The Sail Loft, Southwold

Finalists: The Maybush Inn, The White Lion Hotel, Hollow Trees Farm Cafe

Pub of the Year

Sponsored by G+G Gallo

Winner: The Fox Inn, Newbourne

Finalists: The Dog at Grundisburgh, Arcade Street Tavern, The Eel’s Foot Inn

Outstanding Customer Service

Sponsored by The Burgess Group

Winner: 1921 Angel Hill

Finalists: The Crown at Stoke by Nayland, Arcade Street Tavern, The Greyhound & TwentyOne

Pride of Suffolk

Sponsored by Montage Communications

Winner: Stokes Sauces

Finalists: Adnams, Powters, Musk’s

Best Coffee/Tea Shop

Sponsored by Suffolk Magazine

Winner: Applaud Coffee

Finalists: G&T’s Café and Kitchen, The Weavers Tearoom, Twyfords

Chef of the Year

Sponsored by Jam Tartz

Winner: Justin Kett, The Swan at Lavenham

Finalists: Chandramauli Dwivedi (The Turk’s Head), Luke Cornelius (The Angel Hotel, Bury St Edmunds), Dave Wall (The Unruly Pig)

Field to Fork

Sponsored by Astons Legal

Winner: Truly Traceable Venison & Game

Finalists: Humdinger Produce, Heath Farm Suffolk, Alder Tree

Best Independent Food & Drink Retailer

Sponsored by Larking Gowen

Winner: Rolfes of Walsham

Finalists: Willow Tree Farm Shop, Slate, Ferguson’s Deli

Best Newcomer

Sponsored by The KBB Centre

Winner: The Café at Urban Jungle, Beccles

Finalists: The Weeping Willow, ICE Cook School, Café and Cook Shop, Bury St Edmunds Farmers’ Market

Food & Drink Hero: William Kendall