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Finalists unveiled for second Coventry & Warwickshire Foodie Awards

THE finalists in the second Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards have been unveiled.

The Foodie Awards 2022, in partnership with Visit Coventry and Visit Warwickshire, is a celebration of the best of the region’s food and drink scene.

More than 50 food and drink businesses across the region will now come under the scrutiny of a panel of judges made up of some of the top names in the industry, including Michelin Star chef Paul Foster, of Salt in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Finalists were chosen from 17 categories that focus on quality, service and innovation with an emphasis on farm to fork, including best artisan food and drink producers, farm shop, independent food and drink retailer, newcomer, street food trader and chef or cook of the year.

All the finalists are now invited to an awards ceremony at The Box at Fargo Village, Coventry on June 16th.

The winners of the Fine Dining and Casual Dining categories will be decided at exclusive cook-off events judged by Paul Foster in June.

Former Bake-off winner Candice Brown and food and drink broadcaster and champion Nigel Barden will judge the Best Casual Dining Chef during a live cook-off on the demo stage at Pub In The Park event on June 12th

Candice said: “I’m delighted to be judging the final of Coventry & Warwickshire Foodie Awards at Warwick Pub In The Park. It’s so great to have a local initiative involved and a fantastic way to see the local cooking talent out there. I’m looking forward to crowning the next Best Casual Dining winner.”

Paul Jones, of Visit Coventry, said: “Visit Coventry is thrilled to be supporting the Foodie Awards for the second year. We are delighted with the response to the Food Hero/Community Award and would like to thank all those who voted for the winner of this category. We appreciate that these are exceptionally challenging times for all businesses right now and, we hope the Food Hero/Community Award will shine a light on those businesses who have gone above and beyond to help support their local community.”

Judge Paul Foster

Paul Foster’s successful career has so far earned him a Michelin star, three AA rosettes, a place in the top 50 UK restaurants in The Good Food Guide and has been awarded Observer Food Monthly ‘Young Chef of the Year’ and The Good Food Guide ‘Best Up and Coming Chef’ award.

New categories this year also recognise Foodie Start-up, Fine Dining Restaurant and Fine Dining Chef of the Year as well as the International Taste Award.

Foodie Awards Founder Jonathan Smith, of Talk Business UK, said: ”With the Foodie Awards only in its second year, we are thrilled with the response from all the food, drink and hospitality businesses that have taken part in numbers far exceeding those of last year. The quality and diversity of the entries from those businesses and individuals from across Coventry and Warwickshire will make the final judging extremely hard.”

The Awards will once again be raising money for The Trussell Trust network of eight food banks in Coventry and Warwickshire.

All finalists will be invited to a Finalists’ Night on Monday (June 6th) at Zach’s Barn, Hilltop Farm Shop.

Nadhim Zahawi Stratford MP and Secretary of State for Education, has also lent his support to the awards. He said: “I’m delighted to support the Foodie Awards that promote the food and drink sector in this region but want to say a big thank you and wish special good luck to those finalists who are engaged with the training and development of the next generation of workers and business owners across the Food and Drink sector.”

For further information or to enter the Food Hero Award, visit here

Coventry & Warwickshire Foodie Awards
Nadhim Zahawi MP and Sarah Windrum Chair of Coventry and Warwickshire LEP

Finalists

Food and Drink Experience Award:

Dough and Brew – Warwick

Enchanted Tea Room – Leamington

Culinary Bites – Coventry

 

Young Foodie Award:

Pasta Brothers – George Carter, Leamington

Delicious Greek Gyros – Coventry

Veg Food Enthusiast – Katie Todd, Henley-in-Arden

 

Foodie Startup Award:

St Maur – Alcester

Cureights – Warwick

Trof – Leamington

The Castle and Gin School, Edgehill

 

Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Award:

The Loft – Coventry

Turmeric Gold – Coventry

The Green Dragon – Coventry

 

Fine Dining Chef of the Year Award:

Sam Barnett – The Loft, Coventry

Tobias Reutt – Earlsdon Supper Club, Coventry

Colm Jones – The Green Dragon, Coventry

 

Best Casual Dining Establishment Award:

Dough and Brew – Warwick

Metropolis Bar and Restaurant – Coventry

Sky Blue Tavern – Coventry

 

Best Casual Dining Chef Award:

Adam Cherrington – Head Honcho Hacienda, Leamington

Sophie Hyam – Culinary Bites, Coventry

Naldo Sheffield – Shefs Food Services, Coventry

 

International Taste Award Award:

The Cork and Tile – Stratford

Bib Noodle Bar – Coventry

El Greco -Stratford

Coventry & Warwickshire Foodie Awards, Jonathan Smith, Talk Business UK, Paul Foster
Jonathan Smith oversees last year’s inaugural Foodie Awards at The Box

Farm Shop of the year Award:

The Farm – Stratford

Farmers Fayre – Kenilworth

Hilltop Farm Shop -Leamington

 

Artisan Drink Producer Award:

St Maur – Alcester

Napton Cidery – Napton-on-the-Hill

Dhillons Brewery – Coventry

Brubl Brewery – Leamington

 

Artisan Food Producer Award:

Vittle and Smoke -Southam

Little Prince Cakery – Leamington

Prices Spices – Leamington

Bluebell Cottage – Stratford

 

Independent Food or Drink Retailer of the Year Award:

Lola Provisions – Leamington

Aubrey Allen – Leamington

Wicked Cookies – Coventry

 

The Best Cafe or Coffee Shop Award:

Forrest Coffee House – Kenilworth

Jacks Shack – Warwick

Esquires Coffee – Coventry

Bumbles Coffee House- Studley

 

The Best Pub or Bar Award:

Twisted barrel Brewery and Tap House – Coventry

The Coach House – Stratford

Dhillons Brewery – Coventry

The Star and Garter – Leamington

 

The Street Food Trader of the Year Award:

Boxx ‘n Bar – Coventry

Street Chef – Coventry and West Midlands

Feed Fried Chicken – Coventry

 

Employee of the Year Award:

Kay Dawson – The Farm Stratford

Katie Underhill – Dough and Brew, Warwick

Kevin Prior – Metropolis Bar and Restaurant, Coventry

 

Food Hero/Community Award:

Langar Aid Project – Coventry

Metropolis Bar and Restaurant – Coventry

The Pod Café – Coventry

Helping Hands – Leamington

Finham Park 2- Coventry

(Social media votes for this category, sponsored by Visit Coventry, are still being counted.)