Guests in their hundreds headed to the industrial chic setting of The Camp and Furnace last night to celebrate the city’s culinary talent at The Liverpool Food and Drink Festival Awards.
Liverpool restaurant Puschka was named the city’s favourite at the prestigious ceremony, which was hosted by The Great British Bake-Off judge Paul Hollywood.
The Liverpool Food and Drink Festival Awards were the culmination of a 10-day foodie extravaganza and saw more than 4,000 people cast their votes as restaurants, bars and producers battled it out to be titled the city’s best.
The public voted 60 Hope Street as their Restaurant Of Overall Excellence while Lunya, in College Lane, won the award for Liverpool’s Favourite European Restaurant. Owner Peter Kinsella said: “Winning last year had a fantastic effect for us in many ways – being titled as one of the city’s best is something to be very proud of. It is one of the only awards actually voted for by the public, and that is one of the highest accolades possible.”
The Outstanding Customer Service award went to Bem Brasil, in Hanover Street, while the Favourite Bar or Pub award was presented to The Hub Alehouse and Kitchen.
Most Family-Friendly Restaurant went to Yo Sushi, in Liverpool ONE, and Favourite Independent Cafe or Coffee Shop was awarded to Bold Street Coffee.
Sapporo Teppanyaki, in Duke Street, was voted Liverpool’s Favourite International Restaurant. Sapporo Teppanyaki’s managing partner, Vince Margiotta, said: “These awards are extremely important to us as a business because it means our hard work and dedication has been recognised by the public around the city. “To think people took the time to go online and vote in their thousands this year is overwhelming, and they are the ones responsible for helping restaurants like us to create an impressive foodie revolution in Liverpool.”
Favourite Neighbourhood Restaurant award went to Almond, in West Derby, and Liverpool’s Favourite Food Producer was awarded to the Liverpool Cheese Company.
Favourite Sunday Lunch was given to Marco Pierre White’s The Swan Inn, Aughton.
As well as support from the Liverpool Daily Post the event, now in its third year, secured sponsorship from an array of local businesses including Brown Turner Ross Solicitors, Rhubarb & Custard Catering, Beers Cellars and The De Vere Group.
Denise Harris, MD of SK Events, who founded both the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival and tonight’s awards, said: “When the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival Awards were first launched three years ago, our aim was to give public recognition to the restaurants, bars and producers who continue to excel in this city and tonight has proved that Liverpool definitely has something to be proud of. “Following thousands of votes, endless campaigning and several months of hard work, we now have eleven establishments that have officially been crowned the city’s best and they have received the recognition that they truly deserve. “Liverpool’s food offering continues to rapidly flourish and that is all thanks to the dedication, passion and enthusiasm of the thousands of people working in the sector. We can’t wait to see what the next 12 months will bring.”