Yorkshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2023 sponsored by Daniel Thwaites
Our readers have nominated, the judges have deliberated and now we can reveal the shortlist for the 2023 Yorkshire Life Food and Drink Awards. This prestigious celebration shines a light on the best of the county’s hospitality industry, honouring the chefs, producers and venues that ensure Yorkshire remains a great place to find fabulous food and drink. Yorkshire Life editor Kathryn Armstrong says, ‘We had a great response from readers sharing their favourite places to eat, drink and shop. Our food awards reflect their heroes – from neighbourhood hotspots to dining gems.
‘The Yorkshire Life Food and Drink Awards are all about honouring the hard work of the hospitality industry and it has never been more important to do that.
‘There is such quality among the region’s hospitality providers that the final decisions often come down to very fine margins. We cannot wait to share the winners with you in our November issue.’
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR sponsored by Daniel Thwaites
The restaurant offering an unrivalled dining experience, including the food, service and setting.
The finalists
Roots, York
From the Tommy Banks’ stable of Yorkshire dining, Roots is headed up by chef Will Lockwood. The aim of the game here is to shine a light on produce that reflects the Banks’ farming heritage with tasting menus that deliver on inventiveness, taste and originality.
Homestead Kitchen, Goathland
This rustic restaurant in rural Goathland is a real family affair run by Peter Neville and Cecily Fearnley who relocated back to Cecily’s home village to bring up their two boys. For chef Peter the restaurant is all about a delicate touch with produce reflecting the surroundings – be it fish, game, locally-farmed meat or veg plucked from the kitchen garden.
Bantam, Helmsley
This neat restaurant in the heart of Helmsley is full of personality – and surprises when it comes to menu choices. The kitchen takes a thoroughly modern approach with dishes using off-beat and highly seasonal ingredients for small and sharing plates that are lovingly created.
Where There’s Smoke, Masham
Cooking over Coals as your USP is a bold move but one that has popped WTS right into the spotlight. Set menus are all about championing ingredients from a network of local suppliers, growers and farmers to cooked by Jon Jon Atashroo from scratch over smouldering coals.
DINING PUB OF THE YEAR
The Yorkshire pub where the welcome is as outstanding as the food on the menu. Good beer and great food provenance a must.
The finalists
The Plough, Scalby
From a razor clam special to confit pork belly, the food at this popular east coast pub delivers gourmet comfort in relaxed surroundings from a skilful kitchen team combining classic dishes and exciting flavours, using fresh seasonal Yorkshire ingredients.
The Alice Hawthorn, Nun Monkton
This very smart pub in a hideaway village near York has proved itself a gourmet go-to with impressive food that takes you from the perfect cosy bar lunch to pizza in the garden to a stunning dining room experience with food that spans the seasons and champions the locality.
The Fox & Hounds, Sinnington
Chef Fabien Hombourger brings classic French technique to a very Yorkshire-looking pub. There are meals to suit allcomers – early evening suppers, chef’s curry of the day, Sunday lunch, daily specials, as well as the a la carte menu which is definitely out to wow from those classical French roots.
YORKSHIRE COAST FOOD AWARD
This award recognises the people and producers in this unique and distinct part of Yorkshire where heritage, hospitality, innovation and excellent produce all play their part. Our winner will demonstrate how a sense of place is reflected in the food they create, produce or champion.
The Fish Cottage, Sandsend
The team that brought fish tacos to this popular seaside spot. They serve up moreish takeaway treats which you can enjoy in the garden outside – or head indoors for a more extensive menu, making the most of the fish and seafood landed on the east coast.
Salt on the Harbour, Bridlington
You can’t get closer to the water than Salt on the Harbour where chefs pluck lobsters straight from the boats to serve up. The team is passionate about shining a light on the local lobster and seafood industry and relish the chance to create menus that wow seafood lovers.
Craigs by the Sea, Marske
Some world class patisserie is created by the talented team at Craigs who bring delectable breakfast and brunch treats to this small seaside cafe. Lovely croissants, sourdough and the legendary skillet breakfast – with ingredients supporting local producers.
RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS
The places that offer the best gourmet breaks, the independent venues foodies clamour to get a booking at where guests not only get a feast to remember but a memorable stay with high standard accommodation and excellent service.
Shibden Mill Inn
Here’s an inn full of heart and hospitality with gourmet dining and restful rooms all part of the package. Serving up seasonal dishes using locally-sourced ingredients and produce from the kitchen garden for al la carte and impressive tasting menus.
The Angel, Hetton
Michael Wignall’s Angel has put the tiny village of Hetton in the Yorkshire Dales firmly on the gourmet map with a stylish renovation for a restaurant that serves up beautiful-looking food in tasting menus that let the ingredients sing. This is polished food in stunning surroundings.
Joro Sheffield
Chef Luke French and wife Stacey have put Sheffield on the culinary map with inventive, exciting food with some Asian, British and Nordic nods. They make a gourmet staycation a refined reality with their House of Jöro boutique hotel and chef’s table.
FOOD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR sponsored by Daniel Thwaites
Whether a farmer/chocolatier/fruit and veg grower/manufacturer, this food hero will be a person devoted to their business and producing the very best food Yorkshire has to offer.
Porcus
There’s a lot of pride in pigs from the Porcus crew based in Todmorden where pigs enjoy a good life with a slow grow, free range ethos on pastureland. In turn, they create great tasting meat to produce artisan sausages and flavorsome charcuterie.
Annabel’s Deliciously British
Annabel Makin-Jones is a strawberry farmer based in Leeds, producing fruit for both retailers and under her own brand name. She also makes honey from the bees she keeps on the strawberry farm and a range of conserves and chutneys using the wonky fruit. More recently she has further diversified to start producing Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb and daffodils.
Spilmans
Growers of seasonal asparagus that finds its way to some of the best restaurants and hotels in Yorkshire and beyond. Their asparagus is planted by hand in May, cropped two years later and harvested by hand. The farm is a year-round supplier of soft fruits and vegetables.
Yummy Yorkshire ice cream
From a dairy farm started making ice cream in 2007. Jeremy and Louise Holmes run the business hands on and produce fantastic tasting ice cream, all made with natural flavours. They care very much about their produce and invest in their staff.
CHEF OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Total Foodservice
This is awarded to the chef who has devoted themselves to providing the best food the county (and the country) has to offer. A cook who is not only turning out the best food you can eat locally but has also propelled Yorkshire’s dining scene onto a national stage and consistently raises standards.
Minal Patel, Prashad, Drighlington
Food is a family affair at Prashad and as head chef, Minal’s passion for finely-crafted Gujarati flavours has seen the restaurant achieve a huge following. A perfectionist in the kitchen, Minal’s skill is in blending Indian food with modern fine dining.
Stephen Smith, The Star at Harome
Chef director, Stephen Smith makes it his mission to celebrate the finest seasonal produce, much of it reared and sourced virtually on the doorstep of the much-loved Star. He steered the kitchen team back to opening after a fire that devastated the thatched pub in 2021.
Neil Bentinck, Skosh, York
A dedicated chef putting his small independent restaurant in York on the map with exciting, innovative dishes that have attention to detail at every turn. Fusions of flavour, exciting ingredients and a daring approach that is loved by customers.
YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Bon Coeur Fine Wines
The one to watch – a person under 25 who is already making a name for themselves among their peers, the one that any of Yorkshire’s celebrated chefs would be keen to have on their team.
Anya Swift, Mother Shipton Inn, Knaresborough
Anya, 21, is a young woman who is a rising star in the kitchen, dedicated to her work and proving what hard work and skill can do. Excelling in a male-dominated world, she was a finalist in last year’s Delifresh Young Chef of the Year awards. Harry Blades, The Grand, York
Harry, 21, who works within the hotel’s restaurant The Rise, has proved his culinary credentials under pressure in competitions and cookery demos . A real team player, Harry’s dedication to improving his culinary skills is evident in all he does and his passion for food is fantastic.
Ben Bell, Yorebridge House, Wensleydale
Ben, 23, is incredibly committed, hardworking and loyal to head chef Dan Shotton. He has worked his way up from kitchen porter to commis to chef de partie - he now runs the larder section and supports the junior chefs with their tasks.
NEW OPENING OF THE YEAR sponsored by Total Foodservice
A chef/food person/business that has set the county’s food industry alight, turning the gaze on Yorkshire.
Paradise, Killinghall, Harrogate
There is pedigree at the heart of Paradise in the form of Frances Atkins, Roger Olive and front of house manager John Tullett have worked together for over 20 years. At Paradise they create dishes – for lunch and tasting dinners – that are inspired by the vegetables and herbs grown in their Paradise Garden or at Daleside nurseries.
The Forge Middleton Lodge, Richmond
Dining at The Forge is all about making the most of food sourced locally – predominantly from Middleton Estate’s own kitchen garden but also from nearby farm and producers. Head chef Jake Jones reopened the restaurant this year following its closure due to the pandemic. He creates exciting tasting menus with a sustainable story to tell.
Izakaya, York
Blending Japanese and Yorkshire, Izakaya in Grape Lane is run by Danny Victory and Adam Johnson. They serve Japanese-inspired dishes using Yorkshire ingredients, so you’ll find sashimi grade tuna, chicken yakitori and experimental Japanese dishes as well as a tasting menu.
TEAROOM/DELI/CAFÉ OF THE YEAR
It’s a debate that will forever rumble, but this award will find the place that serves the best tea and coffee, those all-important cakes and bakes or a fine charcuterie platter.
Club House Coffee Skipton
This much-loved café is a community hub – even with its own café dog – George. The café uses locally sourced butchery and bakery goods and roasts all its own coffee which is sourced from ethical farms. They aim to offer a welcome, friendly space and value for money.
DN1 Doncaster
Martyn Pippard and his partner Sarah Wilson have taken the concept of a deli and made it into something big and shining a spotlight on Doncaster as a foodie's go-to. The deli and fishmonger offers a huge range of produce from Yorkshire and beyond and you can sample it at their chefs’ bench.
Mama Doreen’s Emporium, Harrogate
An elegant afternoon tea emporium in the heart of Harrogate that is loved by locals and visitors alike for its amazing afternoon teas that are often themed throughout the year. Delightful décor, five-star service, and the most fabulous cakes.
DRINK PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Whether a gin maker/brewery or manufacturer, we are looking for a person devoted to their business and producing the very best drink products Yorkshire has to offer.
Yorkshire Wolds Apple Juice Co
A producer which prides itself on pressing 100% English fruit in small batches using traditional methods to produce a range of artisan juices. They also provide a fruit pressing service for people and businesses to bring along their orchard fruit to be pressed into juice.
Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery
From field to bottle, this award-winning distillery uses 100% homegrown barley and chalk-filtered water drawn from aquifers deep below the family farm on the Yorkshire coast to create Filey Bay Single Malt Whisky. Since firing up the stills in 2016 they have filled 70,000 bottles of whisky, including special releases.
Northern Monk Brewery
Based in Leeds, Northern Monk creates a huge array of award-winning beers created with skill passion and wit - including the first ever non-alcoholic beer to win three stars in the Great Taste Awards. Their Faith in the futures programme supports causes in need.
FARM SHOP OF THE YEAR
Yorkshire produce showcased alongside great service is the criteria here. This is a place putting the county’s finest food and drink on show for all to savour.
Town End Farm Shop, Airton, Skipton
A well-loved hyper local ‘farm-to-plate' family run farm and farm shop promoting Yorkshire food and drink from passionate farmers, foodies and producers with knowledgeable staff. Also, onsite Butchery & Charcuterie School with monthly courses.
Courtyard Dairy, Settle
Cheese lovers from across the globe – and many a high-end restaurant - make a pilgrimage to The Courtyard Dairy where Andy and Kathy Swinscoe mature and champion only the best farm-made cheese available from the British Isles. They really know their stuff and love sharing the passion for cheese-making.
Farmer Copleys, Pontefract
A popular family-run and family-friendly farm shop plus Moo Cafe. The Copley family loves encouraging people to engage with the countryside and learn where their food comes from and how it is produced. Butchery is at the heart of the farm shop business with meat supplied by surrounding farms.
FOOD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
To be announced in our November issue
This award recognises someone whose passion for Yorkshire food goes above and beyond. It might be a chef, a producer, campaigner or organisation. Above all it is for those spreading the message of Yorkshire’s food with pride and commitment.
