THE FINALISTS in the second Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards have been announced.
The Foodie Awards 2022, in partnership with Visit Coventry and Visit Warwickshire, is a celebration of the best of the region’s food and drink scene.
More than 50 food and drink businesses across the region will now come under the scrutiny of a panel of judges made up of some of the top names in the industry, including Michelin Star chef Paul Foster, of Salt in Stratford.
Finalists were chosen from 17 categories that focus on quality, service and innovation with an emphasis on farm to fork, including best artisan food and drink producers, farm shop, independent food and drink retailer, newcomer, street food trader and chef or cook of the year.
All the finalists are now invited to an awards ceremony at Fargo Village in Coventry on June 16.
The winners of the Fine Dining and Casual Dining categories will be decided at cook-off events judged by Mr Foster, while former Bake-off winner Candice Brown and food and drink broadcaster and champion Nigel Barden will judge the Best Casual Dining Chef during a live cook-off.
Foodie Awards Founder Jonathan Smith, of Talk Business UK, said: ”With the Foodie Awards only in its second year, we are thrilled with the response from all the food, drink and hospitality businesses that have taken part in numbers far exceeding those of last year. The quality and diversity of the entries from those businesses and individuals from across Coventry and Warwickshire will make the final judging extremely hard.”
The awards will once again be raising money for The Trussell Trust network of eight food banks in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Nadhim Zahawi, Stratford MP and education secretary, has also lent his support to the awards.
He said: “I’m delighted to support the Foodie Awards that promote the food and drink sector in this region but want to say a big thank you and wish special good luck to those finalists who are engaged with the training and development of the next generation of workers and business owners across the Food and Drink sector.”
Visit foodieawards.co.uk for further details.
Finalists
Food and Drink Experience Award:
Dough and Brew – Warwick
Enchanted Tea Room – Leamington
Culinary Bites – Coventry
Young Foodie Award:
Pasta Brothers – George Carter, Leamington
Delicious Greek Gyros – Coventry
Veg Food Enthusiast – Katie Todd, Henley-in-Arden
Foodie Startup Award:
St Maur – Alcester
Cureights – Warwick
Trof – Leamington
The Castle and Gin School, Edgehill
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Award:
The Loft – Coventry
Turmeric Gold – Coventry
The Green Dragon – Coventry
Fine Dining Chef of the Year Award:
Sam Barnett – The Loft, Coventry
Tobias Reutt – Earlsdon Supper Club, Coventry
Colm Jones – The Green Dragon, Coventry
Best Casual Dining Establishment Award:
Dough and Brew – Warwick
Metropolis Bar and Restaurant – Coventry
Sky Blue Tavern – Coventry
Best Casual Dining Chef Award:
Adam Cherrington – Head Honcho Hacienda, Leamington
Sophie Hyam – Culinary Bites, Coventry
Naldo Sheffield – Shefs Food Services, Coventry
International Taste Award Award:
The Cork and Tile – Stratford
Bib Noodle Bar – Coventry
El Greco -Stratford
Farm Shop of the year Award:
The Farm – Stratford
Farmers Fayre – Kenilworth
Hilltop Farm Shop – Leamington
Artisan Drink Producer Award:
St Maur – Alcester
Napton Cidery – Napton-on-the-Hill
Dhillons Brewery – Coventry
Brubl Brewery – Leamington
Artisan Food Producer Award:
Vittle and Smoke -Southam
Little Prince Cakery – Leamington
Prices Spices – Leamington
Bluebell Cottage – Stratford
Independent Food or Drink Retailer of the Year Award:
Lola Provisions – Leamington
Aubrey Allen – Leamington
Wicked Cookies – Coventry
The Best Cafe or Coffee Shop Award:
Forrest Coffee House – Kenilworth
Jacks Shack – Warwick
Esquires Coffee – Coventry
Bumbles Coffee House- Studley
The Best Pub or Bar Award:
Twisted barrel Brewery and Tap House – Coventry
The Coach House – Stratford
Dhillons Brewery – Coventry
The Star and Garter – Leamington
The Street Food Trader of the Year Award:
Boxx ‘n Bar – Coventry
Street Chef – Coventry and West Midlands
Feed Fried Chicken – Coventry
Employee of the Year Award:
Kay Dawson – The Farm Stratford
Katie Underhill – Dough and Brew, Warwick
Kevin Prior – Metropolis Bar and Restaurant, Coventry
Food Hero/Community Award:
Langar Aid Project – Coventry
Metropolis Bar and Restaurant – Coventry
The Pod Café – Coventry
Helping Hands – Leamington
Finham Park 2- Coventry