Get set for a night of high drama as the Lancashire Life Food & Drink Award shortlist is revealed.
MEET the finalists in one of the most anticipated nights in the culinary calendar - the Lancashire Life & Lake District Life Food and Drink Awards.
This evening of excitement, fun and celebration will salute the stars who make the hospitality and food industries among the most important contributors to our region’s economy.
Employing tens of thousands and generating millions in revenue, Lancashire Life aims to showcase all that’s great about our food producers and the people who turn it into delicious dishes at hotels, dining pubs and restaurants. We also salute the retailers who also play a significant role.
This year is particularly special - our previous events, going back many years, were held jointly with our sister publication, Cheshire Life. Because the event has become so big, we decided to split them so each county now has its own awards. This year’s black tie evening will be at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa on October 17.
It’s also special because it coincides with the initiative by Marketing Lancashire to bring the quality of our county’s food to a much wider audience and, in turn, enhance the region’s repuation for food tourism. We are very pleased to be part of that campaign.
With 12 winners - including Chef of the Year and Food Hero of the Year - to be revealed it’s sure to be an evening of high drama as our coveted awards are revealed by our host for the evening, TV presenter Andy Crane.
LANCASHIRE LIFE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Nutters Restaurant
Flamboyant chef Andrew Nutter is a former Lancashire Life chef of the year and his gothic style restaurant just gets better.
Edenfield Rd, Rochdale, OL12 7TT
Provenance
Relatively new on the scene, this restaurant and deli has been getting rave reviews for the locally sourced food from chefLewis Gallagher.
46-48 Market Street, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3AZ
Twelve
This is an established favourite run by Paul Moss and Caroline Upton serving modern European cooking in chic, contemporary surroundings
Marsh Mill Village, Thornton Cleveleys, FY5 4JZ
LANCASHIRE LIFE DINING PUB OF THE YEAR
The Clarence
Once a wreck of a town centre pub put back together with tender loving care and serving some exceptional food to adoring customers.
2 Silver Street, Bury, BL9 0EX
The White Swan
Plaudits from nationally known food critics have sent hungry customers racing to the White Swan and they haven’t been disappointed.
Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, BB12 9QA
The Bay Horse Inn
A beautiful old country pub serving accomplished dishes from what looks like a ‘Who’s Who’ of top local producers.
Bay Horse Lane, Ellel, near Lancaster, LA2 0HR
LANCASHIRE LIFE HOTEL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Hipping Hall
A beautiful manor house on the north-eastern tip of Lancashire serving food packed with imagination, flavour and flair.
Cowan Bridge, near Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2JJ
Café Grand
No ordinary hotel restauarant, Cafe Grand serves stylish modern British dishes with some clever European twists.
Grand Hotel, South Promenade, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1NB
Nest
A top quality new menu and a revamped restaurant is already paying dividends with the awarding of its first AA rosette.
Bartle Hall Country Hotel, Lea Lane, Bartle, PR4 0HA
LAKE DISTRICT DINING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Gilpin Hotel and Lakehouse
An oustandingly talented chef called Hrishikesh Desai has been the harbinger of a new era of excellence at Gilpin.
Crook Road, near Windermere, LA23 3NE
The Drunken Duck
Probably the best known gastro-pub in the Lake District and no wonder when you see the location and taste the food.
Barngates, Ambleside, LA22 0NG
Hooked
Few frills just excellent fresh fish cooked with loving care as well as influences from from the Far East and Australia.
Ellerthwaite Square, Windermere, LA23 1DP
LAKE DISTRICT DINING HOTEL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Forest Side
If the restaurant is a work of art, the plates produced by ace forager Kevin Tickle and his team are masterpieces
Keswick Road, Grasmere, LA22 9RN
Brossen Steakhouse
The chic dining room is a meaty paradise that will put a smile on the faces of guests who have spent a hard day on the fells.
Inn on the Square, Market Square, Keswick, CA12 5JF
The Oak Room
Our judges found imaginative food served up in lovely surroundings by a talented kitchen crew already with one AA rosette.
Appleby Manor Country House Hotel, Roman Road, Appleby, CA16 6JB
CITY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
TNQ Restaurant and Bar
Accomplished chef Anthony Fielden creates bold, contemporary food from seasonal British produce to many rave reviews
108 High Street, Manchester, M4 1HQ
El Gato Negro
A handsome restaurant that serves some of the best Spanish food found in the north. You could be in downtown Madrid.
52 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LY
Fazenda
Hungry gauchos would love this restaurant where South America meets Manchester with an evening menu boasting 15 different prime cuts.
Horton House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool, L2 3YL
INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Huntley’s Country Stores
A much loved Lancashire farm shop, food hall, restaurant and outlet business with an outstanding butchery department
Whalley Road, Samlesbury,PR5 0UN
Choc Amor
This is a multi award winning chocolatier with tea rooms producing handmade, small batch, Belgian treats.
The Boskins, Church Road, Tarleton, PR4 6UP
Roaming Roosters
Well-known farm shop and bistro with exceptionally good grass-fed, free-range meat. Sample it on the spot at their smart bistro.
Barrowford Road, Higham, BB12 9ER
DRINK PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
J. Atkinson & Co. Ltd
Local legends selecting the finest teas and coffees from around the world and roasting the beans in their stunning old shop.
10-12 China Street, Lancaster, LA1 1EX
The Old School Brewery
A fast growing reputation for the quality of its beers, OSB is the love child of two pals who started it as a hobby and gave birth to a business.
Crag Road, Warton, near Carnforth, LA5 9PL
Bowland Brewery
A remarkable transformation since joining the James’ Places group with a stunning new HQ in a former Clitheroe mill.
Holmes Mill, Greenacre Street, Clitheroe BB7 1EB
TEAROOM/CAFE OF THE YEAR
Lilibets
Cordon Bleu-trained chef Lilibet Connard has just reopened its pâtisserie and tea rooms to considerable delight among locals.
417 Lord St, Southport, PR9 0AG
Ham and Jam
Relaxed city centre cafe run by people with a passion for local produce and support for the arts in Preston.
50 Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1DD
The Garden Kitchen
A stunning location in the wilds of Lancashire. It’s location can’t stop people beating a path to sample gorgeous teatime treats.
Holden Clough Nursery, Bolton-by-Bowland, BB7 4PF
JOIN US ON THE BIG NIGHT
Tickets are now available for the Lancashire Life Food & Drink Awards on Monday 17th October 2016 at The Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel, for a fabulous evening of food & drink. For tickets please call Linda or Becki on 01928 240674 or email them on linda.chase@archant.co.uk or rebecca.donelan@archant.co.uk. Tickets are £75 each + VAT. The price includes a drinks reception, a four course dinnerand wine. The hotel is offering a preferred rate of £80.00 Bed and Breakfast based on single occupancy and £90.00 Bed and Breakfast based on double occupancy. Please call 01254 303407 and quote Lancashire Life Food and Drink Awards.
THE MENU
Starter
Casterbridge fillet of Beef Carpaccio, Celeriac and Mustard Remoulade, Micro salad, pickled Cranberries
Main
Loin of lamb filled with a mousse of chicken and tarragon
Dessert
White Chocolate and Vanilla Panna Cotta, Raspberry Crisp, Forest Berry Jelly served with Mrs Dowson’s blackcurrant and liquorice ice-cream
A taste of Butler’s Cheese (supplied by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses)
Trotter Hill Mature Farmhouse Lancashire - Produced by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses in Inglewhite, this renowned Tasty Lancashire has a rich, savoury complex flavour and an open buttery crumble
Blacksticks Blue - Distinctive multi-award winning amber hued soft and creamy blue cheese with a delicate blue tang. “The Daddy of all Blue Cheeses”
Button Mill - Newly created by Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses. Rich, soft and golden cheese with heaps of character nestling under a delicate white rind.
Wine supplied by Robinsons
Follow the latest news and announcements on twitter on the #LLFoodAwards hashtag.
