MICHAEL Bremner was the big winner at last night’s Brighton and Hove Food and Drink awards taking home both restaurant and chef of the year.

The Scotsman, who has become the darling of the city’s food scene since his successful appearances on BBC’s Great British Menu, runs both 64 Degrees in Meeting House Lane and Murmur in King’s Road Arches.

He won restaurant of the year for 64 Degrees and was also named the city’s best chef.

Bremner also got a silver in the best newcomer category for his beachfront restaurant Murmur.

One of his chefs at 64 Degrees, Jackson Heron, also won silver in the young chef of the year category.

The food and drink awards is run by the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival.

Nick Mosley, festival director, said: “This has been another fantastic year for the city’s food and drink scene with lots of new developments.

“The food awards is a celebration of the creativity and diversity in our food economy and a genuine highlight of the food year.

A huge amount of work is done behind the scenes by my colleagues at the food festival and our judging panel to ensure the integrity of the awards.

“We believe the awards are a true representation of the best of the best across the entire hospitality and food industry of Brighton and Hove.”

The brightest and best of the city’s food scene gathered at My Hotel in Jubilee Street for the awards.

Among the other big winners last night were the Earth and Stars pub in Windsor Street.

It won best food pub and best pub.

There was a shock winner in the best newcomer category. Bremner’s Murmur was up against Etch, the Church Road, Hove, restaurant of former Masterchef the Professionals winner Steven Edwards.

However, it was Belgian fries outlet, Befries, in West Street, Brighton, which took the coveted prize.

V and H Café, in Holland Road, Hove, took a brace of awards in the best cafe and best breakfast categories.

Curry Leaf Café, in Ship Street, Brighton, also won two awards with best international cuisine and best family dining.

The awards is the longest running of its kind in the city and celebrates the best of hospitality, food and drink.

Nominations are received by the public from April to August each year before a top three is chosen for each category.

The judging panel then picks a winner through a combination of visiting venues, secret shopping and interviews as applicable.

Only businesses with a food hygiene rating of four or more can go through to the finals.

THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Best Afternoon Tea - Sponsored by Midnight Communications

Gold: The Salt Room

Silver: The Grand

Bronze: Metrodeco

Best Breakfast Category - Sponsored by Dental Health Spa

Gold: V and H Café

Silver: Egg & Spoon

Bronze: Billie’s Café

Best Burger Category - Judged by Allison Ferns, BBC Sussex

Gold: Burger Brothers

Silver: Preston Park Tavern

Bronze: Gourmet Burger Kitchen

Best Café - Sponsored by 204060 Radio Cabs

Gold: V and H Café

Silver: Egg and Spoon

Bronze: Metrodeco

Best Cheap Eats - Judged by Guy Lloyd, Juice Brighton 107.2

Gold: La Choza

Silver: Befries

Bronze: Pompoko

Best Cocktail Bar - Sponsored by Blackdown Artisan Spirits

Gold: The Plotting Parlour

Silver: The Cocktail Shack

Bronze: Merkaba

Best Family Dining - Sponsored by 3 Blonde Bears

Gold: Curry Leaf Café

Silver: Woodbox Pizza

Bronze: Fatto a Mano

Best Food Pub - Sponsored by Cardens Accountants

Gold: The Earth and Stars

Silver: Preston Park Tavern

Bronze: The Basketmakers Best

International Cuisine - Sponsored by Baobab Developments

Gold: Curry Leaf Café

Silver: Aguadulce

Bronze: The Chilli Pickle

Best Newcomer - Sponsored by Style Accountants

Gold: Befries

Silver: Murmur

Bronze: Etch

Best Place to do Business - Sponsored by Cobb Digital

Gold: The Salt Room

Silver: Hotel du Vin

Bronze: Small Batch Coffee Roasters

Best Place to Sleep - Sponsored by Hensby Law

Gold: Artist Residence

Silver: Drakes of Brighton

Bronze: My Brighton

Best Producer in the City - Sponsored by Wobblegate fruit juices and Eden fruit cider

Gold: Boho Gelato

Joint Silver: Brighton Bier

Joint Silver: Brighton Gin

Best Pub - Sponsored by The Beer Collective

Gold: The Earth and Stars

Silver: Preston Park Tavern

Bronze: The Basketmakers

Best Restaurant - Sponsored by Claire Walsh IFA

Gold: 64 Degrees

Silver: Isaac At

Bronze: Terre à Terre Best

Sustainable Food Business - Judged by Tom Flint, Brighton and Hove Independent

Gold: hiSbe

Silver: Silo

Bronze: Infinity Foods

Best Takeaway - Sponsored by Brighton Catering Supplies

Gold: The Chilli Pickle

Silver: Curry Leaf Café

Bronze: Befries

Best Venue Design - Sponsored by Posture People

Gold: Red Roaster / Pike and Pine

Silver: Holy Phok

Bronze: The Set

Food Hero - Sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter

Gold: Isaac Bartlett-Copeland, Isaac At

Silver: Seb Cole, Boho Gelato

Bronze: Amy Anslow & Ruth Anslow hiSbe

Chef of the Year - Sponsored by Ridgeview Wine Estate

Winner: Michael Bremner, 64 Degrees

Highly Commended: Steven Edwards, Etch

Highly Commended: Duncan Ray, The Little Fish Market

Young Chef of the Year - Sponsored by BrightonandHoveJobs.com

Winner: George Boarer, Etch

Highly Commended: Jackson Heron, 64 Degrees

Highly Commended: George Ousley, Isaac At

Special Recognition Award - Chosen by the food festival directors

Winner: Hotel du Vin