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ARCHIVE : DERBYSHIRE FOOD AND DRINK 2007 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

The short listed entries for the sixth Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards, organised by Derbyshire County Council, have been revealed today. Catering businesses throughout Derbyshire have been invited to enter the annual awards which celebrate locally produced, top quality food and drink. The competition has attracted a record number of entries this year and there are two brand new categories – the Derbyshire Food Hero of the Year and the Derbyshire Breakfast of the Year.

Venues are judged on a number of criteria including the quality of food and drink, use of county produce and acknowledgement of it on menus and customer service. In each category there will be a winner and a highly commended. The awards are judged by an independent panel of food specialists including an AA inspector and an assessor for Quality in Tourism. The judges will make mystery visits to the short listed venues during the next five weeks.

Celebrity chef Brian Turner is to present the awards with county council cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile at a ceremony and dinner to be held at Thornbridge Hall in Ashford-in-the-Water on 25 October. Councillor Carlile said: “There are lots of businesses throughout Derbyshire serving consistently top quality food using locally sourced produce and these awards are a way of recognising all their hard work and effort.”

The short listed venues are:
Restaurant of the Year 2007

• The Dining Room, Ashbourne
• Buckingham's, Newbold
• The Strand, Matlock
• East Lodge Hotel & Restaurant, Rowsley

Pub/Bistro of the Year 2007

• Bluebell Inn and Restaurant, Farnah Green, Belper
• The Chequers Inn, Frogatt Edge, Hope Valley
• The Holly Bush, Church Broughton
• The Devonshire Arms @ Beeley, Beeley
• The Nettle Inn, Ashover
• The Mill Wheel, Hartshorne

Tea Room/Coffee House of the Year 2007

• Coffee and Cream, Belper
• Peli Deli, Matlock
• Gallery Café, Ashbourne
• Vanilla Kitchen, Tideswell

Restaurant within an Attraction 2007

• National Trust at Kedleston Hall, Derby
• National Trust Hardwick Hall, Doe Lea
• Bourne's Restaurant, Denby Visitor Centre
• Chatsworth Carriage House Restaurant, Pilsley
• Derby Playhouse, Derby

Best Breakfast

• Chatsworth Farm Shop Restaurant, Pilsley
• Hodgkinsons, Matlock Bath
• Stocks Café Bistro, Chapel-en-le-Frith
• Soul Restaurant, Derby

Derbyshire County Council is currently compiling a list of local producers and suppliers within the county and any business wishing to be included on the database can contact Stephanie Walsh, twinning and tourism officer, on 01629 585964.