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
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