After months of deliberation, discussion and debate, the moment of truth has arrived. In this issue we reveal the winners of the 2023 Lancashire Life Food & Drink Awards.
These are the prestigious awards that recognise the very best in the county’s cuisine. We honour the finest restaurants, pubs and tearooms, the people and venues that make Lancashire such a great place to eat and drink.
And as with any awards, there are some thank yous to be said. First, to the readers who responded in their droves to our request for your favourite places to eat and drink. We’re also grateful to the venues for their continued excellence and to our judges for their diligent, painstaking research and work – it's hard work but they were very quick to volunteer for it.
The judging process was intensive and rigorous and if I had a pound for every time someone had asked me to add them to our panel of judges, I’d be able to eat out every night. Well, ok, every night for a week, maybe. All right, maybe just one night, but I’d be having three courses.
There are 12 categories and among the winners and highly commended venues you will find some familiar names who are no strangers to accolades. But there are also some people and places you might not be aware of who will now need to invest in a trophy cabinet – our award will not be the last they receive.
And aside from celebrating the brilliance of our winners and highly commended venues, what did we discover from our grand culinary tour?
Here, in no particular order, are my top six findings.
* In spite of the impact Covid had on the hospitality industry and the number of impressive businesses that were lost, there remains a fabulous variety of food and drink on offer.
* The quality among the kitchen teams is staggeringly high. Consider some of the names not on our podium this year and you’ll see what I mean.
* There were very few easy decisions. In almost every category, any of the top three – and in some cases many of the other names on our longlist – could have won the award.
* There is a mind-blowing amount of creativity, invention and innovation going on. I have seen things done to an aubergine that would make your mind boggle.
* Those standards are not limited to the kitchen teams – there is a wealth of passion, knowledge and pride among the front-of-house staff which goes a long way to setting the tone for a diner’s experience.
* It is unwise to attempt a dessert after three of the best and most filling courses I’ve ever tasted but these are the struggles I face on your behalf, dear reader.
Have a great month (and try not to eat too much).
The Winners
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Total Foodservice
OLI MARTIN
BEST CAFÉ / TEA ROOM / STREET FOOD
Sponsored by Lancashire Tea
HARRY’S CAFÉ, Yew Tree Barn, Low Newton
HIGHLY COMMENDED
WILD ROOT KITCHEN, Helsall
HERITAGE CAFÉ, Samlesbury Hall
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by NFU Mutual
SQUASH, Liverpool
HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST JAMES CHEESE, Flookburgh
LANCASTER SPRITS, Lancaster
YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Total Foodservice
KEIRA CAROLAN
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR:
SŌ-LŌ, Aughton
HIGHLY COMMENDED
263, Preston
KAIZEN, Burscough, Mawdesley and Southport
DINING PUB OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Acme
PARKERS ARMS, Newton in Bowland
HIGHLY COMMENDED
THREE FISHES, Mitton
THE BLACK FRIAR, Salford
CITY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
THE SPÄRROWS, Manchester
HIGHLY COMMENDED
ERST, Ancoats
CLIMAT, Manchester city centre
LAKE DISTRICT DINING EXCELLENCE
Sponsored by Atlantis Kitchens
HEFT, High Newton
HIGHLY COMMENDED
GILPIN, Windermere
THE YAN AT BROADRAYNE, Grasmere
RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS
FREEMASONS AT WISWELL
HIGHLY COMMENDED
DALE HOUSE KITCHEN AT DALE HOUSE BARN, Slaidburn
COACH & HORSES , Bolton by Bowland
FOOD HERO OF THE YEAR
KATIE WILSON, Bowland and Bay
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Lauren and Rachel Finch
Tom Pemberton
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
FELL BISTRO
HIGHLY COMMENDED
RESTAURANT 8, Liverpool
THE RUM FOX, Grindleton
INDEPENDENT FOOD/DRINK RETAILER OF THE YEAR
MODERN MILKMAN, Colne
HIGHLY COMMENDED
ST JAMES CHEESE, Flookburgh
THE LITTLE GREEN PLATTER COMPANY, Orrell
