We were happy to be asked to join the judging team for the 2012 Yorkshire Life Food and Drink Awards and had much fun, quite a bit of lively debate and some great food (courtesy of the lovely Steph Moon) during our sometimes heated meetings at Rudding Park. Competition was stiff; you don’t really need us to tell you how many great restaurants, pubs, B&Bs and producers we’ve got in this glorious county of ours. Suffice to say we were hard pushed to choose. But choose we did. A short list in each category was eventually reached, and finally winners. The team consisted of Annie Stirk, Steph Moon, John Moorhouse, Robert Ramsden, Christopher Turner and us. They sadly couldn’t all be at the very good lunch at the White Hart in Harrogate but we raised a glass or two to the absentees. Oh yes, thanks John for the prosecco! Our friends at Whitby Seafish provided the fish for the fabulous smoked haddock curry starter and the Yorkshire Dales Meat Company’s rump of lamb was divine. Just Puds brought along ginger and spice pudding – just marvellous. And yes, that lad in the photo is Tom Rennolds, plasterer turned Masterchef finalist. Cute as a button. Anyway. Here are the winners.
Newcomer of the Year: Create, Leeds
Neighbourhood Restaurant of the Year: Gimbals, Sowerby Bridge
Traditional Pub of the Year: Blacksmith’s Arms, Lastingham
Local Producer of the Year: Pextenement Cheese Company, Todmorden
Farmers’ Market of the Year: Hovingham Village Market
Small but Special Accommodation of the Year: Low Mill Guest House, Bainbridge
Hotel of the Year: Middlethorpe Hall, York
Dining Pub of the Year: The Anvill Inn, Sawdon
Restaurant of the Year: The Yorke Arms, Pateley Bridge
Chef of the Year: Tom Van Zeller