Residents’ favourite food and drink businesses were honoured at St Albans and Harpenden Food and Drink Awards 2015 on Monday 5 October.
The award-winners were announced at the end of St Albans and Harpenden Food and Drink Festival in a ceremony in Sopwell House Hotel.
The festival and awards were organised by St Albans City and District Council with the support of a steering group of advisors.
Earlier this year the public was invited to select their favourite food and drink businesses. Members of the steering group then visited the shortlisted venues anonymously to judge them against specific criteria for each category.
The names of the winners were announced at the awards ceremony and are:
- Best Bar – Mokoko Cocktail Bar & Grill, Verulam Road, St Albans
- Best Independent Food/Drink Shop – BEER:shop, London Road, St Albans
- Best Café – Barrisimo, St Peter’s Street, St Albans
- Best Newcomer – Dylan’s at the Kings Arms, George Street, St Albans
- Best Local Producer – Hedges Farm Shop, North Orbital Road, St Albans
- Best Local Restaurant – Lussmanns Fish & Grill Restaurant, St Albans
- Best Pub – The Boot, Market Place, St Albans
- Best Takeaway – Lebanese Kitchen, Stanhope Road, St Albans
- Most Family Friendly Venue – Relish Real Burgers, Civic Close, St Albans.
Two further awards were presented on the night:
- The coveted award for Food and Drink Champion of the Year was presented to Sean Hughes of Dylan’s at the Kings Arms.
- Sean Hughes of Dylan’s at the Kings Arms also received the Kate D’Arcy Award for Exceptional Customer Service. This award was given in memory of Kate D’Arcy, a much-admired local restaurateur who died in 2010.