Lincolnshire Life County Cuisine Awards

A Taste of Excellence 2013/14
Finalists, sponsors and guests joined Lincolnshire Life at The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa for the announcement of the winners of this year’s County Cuisine Awards. Lincolnshire Life were delighted to be there in association with Love Food Select Lincolnshire as part of the Lincolnshire Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards 2014.

The event was compered by BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenter, Melvyn Prior and sponsored by The Petwood Hotel and Lincolnshire Co-operative in addition to the sponsors of the ‘Taste of Excellence’ judging categories: Young Chef of the Year and Lincoln College; Heart of Gold Best Tea or Coffee Shop; Tastes of Lincolnshire Best Pub Food and House of Townend Best Restaurant.

The awards were followed by many from the industry around the county on social media as the winners were announced.

Guests enjoyed a three-course meal featuring produce from some of the best known local names, including pork from Grasmere Farm, food from Abbey Parks and Cote Hill cheese. During the meal, RAF musician Sarah Jane performed a programme of songs from the 1940s.

The guest speaker was Phil Bonner from Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, talking about the role food and farming has played for the forces.

YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR
Winner:
William Hart – whose menu of Lincolnshire venison, with chocolate and juniper jus followed by a pudding of chocolate fondant with Fisherman’s Friend ice cream wowed the judges.
Runners-up:
Imogen Bateman – Cooked grilled sea bass with marsh samphire and beurre blanc sauce, and plum frangipani with clotted cream quenelle.
Cai Kemish – Cai’s menu was pan fried pheasant breast on a bed of roasted celeriac, and Bramley apple and cinnamon mousse with plum bread toast.
Laura Tuddenham – This menu included roasted Lincolnshire sausages served with Poacher cheese mash, and plum bread and butter pudding.

HEART OF GOLD BEST TEAROOM OR COFFEE SHOP
Winner: The Old Stables, Horncastle
Runners-up:
The Paddock Tea Room, Alkborough
Hames Chocolate Café, Skegness

The judges said of The Old Stables: “This charming and friendly cafe serves homemade dishes of high quality. A local favourite for a morning coffee, lunch or tea. Delicious homemade cakes and a real dedication to Lincolnshire produce shown in the variety and originality of the menu.”

LOVE FOOD SELECT LINCOLNSHIRE BEST PUB FOOD
Winner: Sebastopol Inn, Minting
Runners-up:
The Ball House, Boston
Inn on the Green, Ingham

Another closely contested category, with The Sebastopol Inn impressing the judges with quality of the food. It was the total package in terms of menus, service and decor. A family business where their involvement and care shows.

HOUSE OF TOWNEND BEST RESTAURANT
Winner: Comfy Duck at Oaklands Hall Hotel, Laceby
Runners-up
Lincoln Grille at The White Hart, Lincoln
The Windmill Restaurant, Burgh le Marsh

The judges noted of the winner: “A menu that was jam-packed full of interesting, insightful flavour combinations with a sensational dessert choice especially. Well detailed local sourcing and could have made many choices from this menu.”

The nominations for the next Lincolnshire Life County Cuisine Awards will open in May 2014. If you would like your establishment to be included on our database to receive nomination forms please contact: editorial@lincolnshirelife.co.uk or call 01522 527127.

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