You might find that getting a table at some of the county’s finest food venues has just got a little bit tougher after the winners in the dining categories of the inaugural Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards were finally announced!The awards, devised by Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd, were aimed at celebrating excellence among the county’s eateries and to give a public pat on the back to those owners, managers and landlords who strive to offer their customers the perfect dining experience. 

The title of ‘Restaurant of the Year’ went to The Vine House Hotel and Restaurant in Paulerspury and Yvette Jones, who accepted the trophy on behalf of owners Marcus and Julie Springett, said they were delighted. “Marcus and Julie are absolutely passionate about what they do – it is their life! The food, the people, the service – they’re the key ingredients in running a successful restaurant and receiving this award is proof that they’re getting it right. They’re absolutely thrilled and are looking forward to celebrating with the people of Northamptonshire!”

Meanwhile The White Swan at Harrringworth was named ‘Pub or Bar Restaurant of the Year’, and its owners, husband and wife team Adam and Gina Longden, were almost speechless after hearing their names announced. “It’s amazing” said Adam. “We often work seven days a week and this is real reward for all that effort, especially looking after three kids as well!” Added Gina “Whether we’ve got two people or fifty-two people in the pub, we’d like to think we give them the service they deserve and perhaps that’s what the judges recognised when they came to visit – we’re just delighted!”

The results were announced by double Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing to an expectant audience of more than 400 guests at last night’s ‘Celebration of Northamptonshire’ dinner at Althorp (Friday 9^th October). Marcus, whose latest book ‘Nutmeg and Custard’ has just been published, said he was honoured to be part of the competition “I’m really very impressed with what’s being achieved here in Northamptonshire. I’ve always been keen on sourcing local and supporting local and these awards are a great way of promoting what’s on offer here. In fact, I’m thinking I should take the idea back to my home county of Lancashire to get them to do the same!”

The three judges who were charged with difficult but rather enjoyable task of ‘mystery shopping’ the ten finalists were celebrity chef and former Northamptonshire resident Sophie Grigson, food journalist Joanna Roughton and Duncan Taylor, whose The Bluebell Inn in Henley-in-Arden was the winner of the Best Dining Pub/Inn in the Coventry and Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards in both 2008 and 2009, so a man perfectly placed to judge what makes for a successful food pub. Said Duncan “Winning our award has been incredibly positive for us – great recognition for all the team, not to mention a huge boost to our business, as I’m sure it will be for the winners of these inaugural awards. I hope that a moment in the spotlight at such a glitzy affair, complete with celebrity chefs and local dignitaries, is fitting tribute to those whose work so often goes unrewarded.” Joanna’s praise was for the south Northamptonshire winners but she also commended all those who took part. “The Vine House are indeed worthy of their title but I should like to add that it was an extremely difficult task because the standard of all the finalists was so high. I was really very impressed with the quality of cooking and of the use of local ingredients and I hope these awards bring them all greater recognition. They certainly deserve it!” And Sophie added her particular commendation for the team at the White Swan “ This place is everything a pub-restaurant should be; warm and welcoming and serving local produce at its best.”

The results for the two categories are:

‘Restaurant of the Year’:
The Vine House Hotel and Restaurant, Paulerspury – winner
Oundle Mill, Oundle – runner-up

Other finalists (in alphabetical order):
Greens Restaurant and Bar, Northampton
Murrays at Whittlebury Hall, Whittlebury
The Church Restaurant, Northampton 

‘Pub or Bar Restaurant of the Year’:
The White Swan, Harringworth – winner
The Saracen’s Head, Little Brington – runner-up

Other finalists (in alphabetical order):
The Olde Red Lion, Kislingbury
The Red Lion, Sibbertoft
The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth

The competition’s co-ordinator, Rachel Mallows of ‘Rachel Mallows Services to Business’ said that the announcement of the winners was an exciting culmination to the whole awards “I’m absolutely delighted for those who’ve been successful and indeed for all those who have taken part. I think it’s only right that we should reward all those hard working chefs and restaurateurs for the excellence they achieve and it makes me proud to think that we have the kind of fine dining venues here in Northamptonshire to rival any in the country. I hope that the county’s many food lovers will now show their support by trying out the venues for themselves, if only to see if the judges made the right decisions!”

Meanwhile Kate Dent, Head of Tourism at Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd, said “What a fantastic climax to what has been such an exciting project for all of us, last night’s awards presentations really were the icing on the cake! We extend our huge congratulations to all the finalists and a special well done to the winners along with a vote of thanks to all the team at Rachel Mallows Services to Business for their invaluable coordination of these awards. All the businesses involved have impressed us with the excellent high standard of quality and service, what a perfect excuse for people to get out and about in Northamptonshire and try them out for themselves!”