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Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards 2023 finalists confirmed
Finalists have been announced for the 2023 Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards – and there are 14 Leicestershire and Rutland people and places in the running. According to organisers, the awards aim to celebrate the region’s thriving hospitality scene.
This year’s event will recognise the passion and resilience of the ‘Heroes of Hospitality’ – the individuals and teams supporting their businesses through the challenging economic climate. Taking place on July 10, the Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards will return to Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms.
Winners will be recognised across 27 categories, including Afternoon Tea Establishment of the Year, Bar/Restaurant Manager of the Year, and Boutique Hotel of the Year. Local businesses in the running include Black Iron at Winstanley House in the Afternoon Tea Establishment of the Year category, Hambleton Hall in the Boutique Hotel of the Year category and both The Gadabout and Manhattan 34 in the Cocktail Bar of the Year category.
READ MORE: Leicestershire Promotions awards open to find best places to eat, drink and be merry in 2023
In the running for the Chef of the Year title is Sumit Chakrabarty from Rutland Hall Hotel and Spa, and the hotel itself is a finalist in the Hotel of the Year category. Its bar, Blossoms, is in the running to be named Hotel Bar of the Year, along with Grange Bar at Sketchley Grange Hotel and Spa at Hinckley.
Hayley Scattergood at Sketchley Grange Hotel has reached the finals of the Rising Star of the Year category. Black Iron at Winstanley House has been named as a finalist in the Steak House of the Year category and Gyro Guys is in the running to be named Street Food Operator of the Year.
Leicester’s Gelato Village could be named Dessert Parlour of the Year and The Griffin Inn at Swithland is in the running for the Gastropub of the Year title. Leicester’s Merchant of Venice is a finalist in the Italian Restaurant of the Year category.
With the finalists now announced, members of the public vote will be able to vote for their favourite places from June 11. In addition to the vote, the finalists will also go through a rigorous judging day, which is being led by head judge Tony Elvin, general manager of Touchwood Shopping Centre and founder of The Wine Events Company.
This year’s judging panel also includes Alex Claridge, owner of The Wilderness and recently appointed Night Time Economy Advisor for the Midlands; MasterChef: The Professionals UK champion 2021 Daniel Lee; Sophia Hyam, award-winning chef and founder of Sophie’s Culinary Bites; food consultant and chef Nitisha Patel and Michele Wilby, executive director of the Colmore Business District, the organisation behind the annual Colmore Food Festival.
The Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards are organised by BEvents, who run established ceremonies including Birmingham Awards, Women in Tech Awards and, most recently, the inaugural Inspirational Youth Awards. Ifraz Ahmed, co-founder of BEvents, said: “The nomination process has been incredibly successful this year and we want to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone that has taken time out of their day to nominate their favourite restaurants, bars, hotels, and individuals.
“Our mission has always been to profile the best in the business, enhancing the region’s reputation as a food and drink destination of choice, both nationally and internationally. Our finalists truly embody excellence and stand out as the cream of the crop!
“Now that the finalists have been announced, the power lies with the general public to help determine the winners. Don’t miss your opportunity to have a voice — make sure to cast your vote before the 11th June, as voting closes soon!”
Here are all of the 2023 finalists:
1. AFTERNOON TEA ESTABLISHMENT OF THE YEAR
Black Iron at Winstanley House – Leicester
Cup a Cha – Stafford
Hogarths Hotel – Solihull
Kilo Ziro Cafe Bar and Refill Taproom – Birmingham
Lace Market Hotel – Nottingham
Morley Hayes – Derby
Paul at No 41 – Birmingham
Plant N Plate – Birmingham
Pretty Pots – Stafford
The Sidings Tea Room – Burntwood
2. BAR/RESTAURANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Alexandra Marcantonio – Plant N Plate
Andreea Drobota – Sushido
Bernadette Scott-Rushfirth – The Rectory
Jordan Stewart – Gaucho
Liam Hughes – The Canal House
Mizan Rahman – Thalio at The Falcon
Nico Ante – Tattu
Rumesh Manoharan – Toffs by Rob Palmer
Ryan Smith – Fox & Chance
Tiago Bastos – Orelle Restaurant
3. BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Aston Tavern – Birmingham
Brockencote Hall Hotel – Kidderminister
Cottage in the Wood – Malvern
Hambleton Hall – Oakham
Hampton Manor – Hampton in Arden
Hotel Du Vin Stratford-Upon-Avon – Stratford-Upon-Avon
Lace Market Hotel – Nottingham
Mallory Court Hotel & Spa – Leamington Spa
Morley Hayes – Derby
The High Field town House – Birmingham
4. BREWERY/DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR
Attic Brew Co – Birmingham
Dhillon’s Brewery – Coventry
Joules Brewery – Shropshire
Redsmith Distillery – Nottingham
Sommar Brewery – Birmingham
The Shropshire Distillery – Shropshire
Trinity Brew Co. – Lichfield
West Midlands Distillery – Rowley Regis
White Peak Distillery – Derbyshire
Wrekin Spirit Dry Gin – Shropshire
5. CASUAL DINING RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Baked in Brick – Birmingham
Big Mouths Kitchen – Stourport
Dick’s Smokehouse – Birmingham
Jamaya Solihull – Solihull
Saint Pauls House – Birmingham
The Belfry Hotel & Resort – Sam’s Club House – Sutton Coldfield
The Canal House – Birmingham
The Farmhouse Restaurant – Coventry
The Rolling Mill – Jewellery Quarter
Thyme Kitchen – Lichfield
6. CHEF OF THE YEAR
Ashley Sherrocks – Lace Market Hotel
Becky Powell – BA HA Vegan
Chris Emery – Orelle
Javier Santos – The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Lisa Kaur – The Two Mugs
Lousia Ellis – Chef Louisa Ellis
Reece Elliot – Six Richmond House
Rob Palmer – Toffs by rob palmer
Sumit Chakrabarty – Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa
Thom Bateman – The Flintlock
7. COCKTAIL BAR OF THE YEAR
40 St Pauls – Birmingham
Alberts Schloss – Birmingham
Dhillon’s Spire Bar – Coventry
Fox & Chance – Birmingham
Kilo Ziro Cafe Bar and Refill Taproom – Birmingham
Manhattan 34 – Leicester
Orelle Restaurant – Birmingham
Six Richmond House – Nottingham
The Alchemist Colmore Row – Birmingham
The Gadabout – Leicester
8. DESI BAR & GRILL OF THE YEAR
Canalside Bar & Grill – Wolverhampton
Covered Wagon – Birmingham
Kings of Punjab – Birmingham
Rumours Bar & Grill – Birmingham
Soho Tavern – Birmingham
The JQ Bar and Grill – Birmingham
The New Bell Grill – Birmingham
The New Garden Gate – Birmingham
The New Talbot Bar & Restaurant – Birmingham
The Swan at Stonnall – Walsall
9. DESSERT PARLOUR OF THE YEAR
Eis Cafe – Birmingham
Gelato Village – Leicester
Haute Dolci Birmingham – Birmingham
La Pop – Birmingham
My Cookie Dough – Birmingham
Pirlo’s Dessert Lounge – Birmingham
10. FINE DINING RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Chapter – Birmingham
Dovecote Restaurant at Morley Hayes – Derby
Lovage – Derby
Orelle Restaurant – Birmingham
Restaurant Folium – Birmingham
Smoke Restaurant – Hampton Manor – Hampton-In-Arden
Tailors Restaurant – Warwick
Tattu – Birmingham
The Boat Inn – Lichfield
Toffs By Rob Palmer – Solihull
11. FOOD/DRINK FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Alcester Food Festival – Alcester
Colmore Food Festival – Birmingham
Lichfield Food Festival – Lichfield
Ludlow Food Festival – Ludlow
Shrewsbury Food Festival – Shropshire
Solihull Food Festival – Solihull
12. GASTRO PUB OF THE YEAR
Cock & Hoop Lace Market Hotel – Nottingham
Soho Tavern – Birmingham
The Church Pub & Dining Room – Birmingham
The Griffin Inn – Swithland
The High Field – Birmingham
The Plough by The Secret Pub Company – Nottingham
The Radcliffe – Nottingham
The Railway Lowdham – Nottingham
13. GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Adin Memetovic – Alberts Schloss
Arron Wincott – Hotel du Vin – Birmingham
Bernadette Scott-Rushfirth – The Rectory & 180 Club
Emma Lester – Bistrot Pierre
Jonathan Lea – Loxleys restaurant and wine bar
Liam Hughes – The Canal House
Mari-Liis Pellmas – The Church Pub & Dining Room
Melissa Lawlor – Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
Natalie Heath – Hotel du Vin
Sin Tae Kim – Orelle Restaurant
Toby Heap – Kilo Ziro Cafe Bar and Refill Taproom
14. HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Coombe Abbey – Warwickshire
Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre – Birmingham
Genting Hotel – Birmingham
Grand Hotel Birmingham – Birmingham
Hyatt Regency Birmingham – Birmingham
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham – Birmingham
Park Regis – Birmingham
Rutland Hall Hotel and Spa – Oakham
The Belfry Hotel & Resort – Sutton Coldfield
The Mount Hotel Country Manor and golf – Wolverhampton
15. HOTEL BAR OF THE YEAR
1565 Bar and Terrace Bar – Park Regis – Birmingham
Alvar Bar – Clayton Hotel Birmingham – Birmingham
Blossoms – Rutland Hall Hotel and Spa – Oakham
Chez Mal Bar – Malmaison – Birmingham
Grange Bar -Sketchley Grange Hotel & Spa – Hinckley
Madeleine Bar -The Grand Hotel – Birmingham
The Bubble Lounge – Hotel Du Vin – Birmingham
The Falcon Hotel – Bridgnorth
16. INDEPENDENT COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR
Bora Coffee Co – Solihull
Cool River Cafe – Derbyshire
Cup a Cha – Stafford
Hackwood Farm Ltd – Derbyshire
Paul at No41 – Birmingham
Plant N Plate – Birmingham
Sol Bistro – Birmingham
The Two Mugs – Solihull
17. ITALIAN RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Cucina Rustica – Birmingham
La Galleria – Birmingham
La Storia – Nottingham
Lucarelli Restaurant – Birmingham Mailbox – Birmingham
Merchant of Venice – Leicester
San Carlo Fumo – Birmingham
Trentina – Birmingham
Venezia Italian Restaurant – Nottingham
18. EAST ASIAN RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant – Birmingham
Rosa’s Thai – Birmingham
Siamais – Birmingham
Sushido – Sutton Coldfield
Tattu – Birmingham
Wing Wah Birmingham – Birmingham
Wok Chi – Birmingham
Yakinori Solihull – Solihull
19. PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Alberts Schloss – Birmingham
Attic Brew Co – Birmingham
Chung Ying Restaurant – Birmingham
Cool River Cafe – Derbyshire
Kilo Ziro Cafe Bar and Refill Taproom – Birmingham
Meat and one Veg – Birmingham
Mellows Bar and Restaurant – Birmingham
Nat-Ju – Birmingham
Omar Khayam Restaurant – Birmingham
Reunion Deli – Derbyshire
The Church Pub & Dining Room – Birmingham
Trentina – Birmingham
20. RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Amy Langston – Bab about town
Andrew Kay – Toffs By Rob Palmer
Anna Martin – The Little Cocktail Bar
Christina Kruzewski – Orelle
Ellie Dalton – Tattu
Hayley Scattergood – Sketchley Grange Hotel
Jonathan Dulson – Eighteen
Krishna Pastakia – Edgbaston Park Hotel
Nikolaos Karaferis – Malmaison Birmingham
Silvia Sanchez Santiago – Tapas catering
Taz Hussain – Alberts Schloss
Thomas Langman – Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
21. SOUTH ASIAN RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Anoki – Derby
Colombo Street Restaurant – Nottingham
Dishoom – Birmingham
Omar Khayam Indian Cuisine – Birmingham
Panache Fine Dining – Sutton Coldfield
Raja Monkey – Birmingham
Simla restaurant and zenna bar – Tamworth
Thalio at The Falcon – Bridgnorth
Tipu Sultan Majestic Dining – Birmingham
Umami Indian Kitchen – Birmingham
22. STEAK HOUSE OF THE YEAR
Black Iron at Winstanley House – Leicester
De La Vies – Birmingham
Fiesta Del Asado – Birmingham
Gaucho Birmingham – Birmingham
Meat Club – Birmingham
Tarragon Bistro – Birmingham
The Artisan Bar & Grill – Coventry
The Soulville Steakhouse – Nottingham
23. STREET FOOD OPERATOR OF THE YEAR
Digbeth Dining Club – Birmingham
Gorilla Munch – Birmingham
Green Doughnuts – Wolverhampton
Gyro Guys – Leicestershire
Hockley Social Club – Birmingham
Kitsch Street Food – Stourbridge
Notty Bites Street Food – Birmingham
Street Chef – Birmingham
Stripclub Streetfood – Coventry
The Filthy Greek – Nottingham
Urban Spice Box – Birmingham
What The Cluck – Cannock
24. TRADITIONAL PUB OF THE YEAR
Angel Inn – Lichfield
Duke of York – Lichfield
The Church Pub & Dining Room – Birmingham
The Crafty Two – Birmingham
The Good Intent – Birmingham
The Old Crown – Birmingham
The Red Lion – Hunningham – Leamington Spa
The Vine Inn (aka “The Bull & Bladder”) – Dudley
25. VEGETARIAN/VEGAN RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
BA-HA – Birmingham
Land – Birmingham
Nellys Delhi – Wolverhampton
Notty Bites Street Food – Birmingham
Plant N Plate – Birmingham
The Warehouse Cafe – Birmingham
Vegan Munch – Birmingham
26. VENUE OF THE YEAR
Alberts Schloss – Birmingham
Coombe Abbey – Coventry
Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre – Birmingham
Hockley Social Club – Birmingham
Holte Suite – Villa Park – Birmingham
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham – Birmingham
Millennium Point – Birmingham
Park Regis – Birmingham
The Eastside Rooms – Birmingham
The Night Owl – Birmingham
27. SUSTAINABLE FOOD BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Amadeus Food – Birmingham
Dovecote Restaurant – Morley Hayes – Derby
From the Ground Bakery – Birmingham
Incredible Surplus – Birmingham
Kilo Ziro Cafe Bar and Refill Taproom – Birmingham
Pensons – Worcester
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