THE finalists in this year’s Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Awards have been revealed.
The awards are organised each year by the team behind the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival, with more than 20 categories ranging from Best Restaurant to Best International Cuisine.
Public nominations closed in early September with the top three in each category now going on to be judged under strict criteria.
Festival director Nick Mosley said: “It’s been another amazing year of openings and change in the food scene in the city and that has been reflected in the public’s nominations. There’s a few names I expected to see but definitely a few surprises.”
New categories for this year include Chef of the Year, Cheap Eats, Best Venue Design and Best Afternoon Tea.
Jeremy Ashpool, of Jeremy’s Restaurant in Borde Hill, said: “I’m looking forward to joining the panel of judges for Chef of the Year and Young Chef of the Year.
“The city has some impressive chef talent and that’s reflected in the finalist line-up in both categories. It’s going to be tough to select a winner.”
David Blood, of Posture People, is sponsoring the Best Venue Design award. He said: “As a design-led furniture consultancy, we are delighted to be judging this category.
“For us, the proof isn’t only in the pudding but the entire dining experience, from the wallpaper to how comfortable the dining chairs are. We will be looking for innovative use of space, continuity and how the look and feel of the restaurant elevates the food itself”.
Midnight Communications is sponsoring Best Afternoon Tea.
Managing director Caraline Brown said: “It is an honour to be part of these awards, especially at a time when Brighton is enjoying such prominence on the British food scene. As an awards organiser myself I know just how much work goes in to delivering a scheme which has credibility and commands respect. Congratulations to the organisers and the finalists.”
Mr Mosley added: “We believe our format is the most transparent way of running an awards scheme. The top three businesses or individuals in each category go through to interviews, menu tastings and cook-offs – all marked to pre-defined criteria. We want to ensure that petitioning doesn’t affect the final result so we are confident that the best are awarded the gold.”
The final will be held at My Brighton hotel in Jubilee Street on November 6.
CHEF OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Ridgeview Wine Estate
Michael Bremner from 64 Degrees
Steven Edwards from Etch
Duncan Ray from The Little Fish
BEST RESTAURANT Sponsored by Claire Walsh IFA
64 Degrees
Isaac At
Terre à Terre
BEST PUB Sponsored by The Beer Collective
The Basketmakers
The Earth & Stars
Preston Park Tavern
BEST COCKTAIL BAR Sponsored by Blackdown Artisan Spirits
The Cocktail Shack
Merkaba
Plotting Parlour
BEST CAFÉ Sponsored by 204060 Radio Cabs
Egg and Spoon
Metrodeco
V & H Café
BEST INTERNATIONAL CUISINE Sponsored by Baobab Developments
AguaDulce
The Chilli Pickle
Curry Leaf Café
BEST BURGER Judged by BBC Sussex
Burger Brothers
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Preston Park Tavern
CHEAP EATS Judged by Juice FM
Befries
La Choza
Pompoko
BEST PLACE TO SLEEP Sponsored by Hensby Law
Artist Residence
Drakes
MyBrighton
FOOD HERO Sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter
Amy Anslow, Ruth Anslow and Jack Simmonds from HiSBE
Isaac Bartlett-Copeland from Isaac At
Seb Cole from Boho Gelato
NEWCOMER Sponsored by Style Accountants
Befries
Etch
Murmur
BEST TAKEAWAY Sponsored by Brighton Catering Supplies
Befries
The Chilli Pickle
Curry Leaf Café
BEST FAMILY DINING Sponsored by 3 Blonde Bears
Curry Leaf Café
Fatto a Mano
Woodbox Pizza
BEST VENUE DESIGN Sponsored by Posture People
Holy Phok
Red Roaster / Pike & Pine
The Set
BEST PLACE TO DO BUSINESS Sponsored by Cobb Digital
Hotel du Vin
The Salt Room
Small Batch Coffee Roasters
BEST AFTERNOON TEA Sponsored by Midnight Communications
The Grand
Metrodeco
The Salt Room
BEST SUSTAINABLE FOOD BUSINESS Judged by Tom Flint
HiSBE
Infinity Foods
Silo
BEST FOOD PUB Sponsored by Cardens Accountants
The Basketmakers
The Earth & Stars
Preston Park Tavern
BEST BREAKFAST Sponsored by Dental Health Spa
Billie’s Café
Egg & Spoon
V & H Café
BRIGHTON & HOVE YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Brightonandhovejobs.com
George Boarer from Etch
George Ousley from Isaac At
Jackson Heron from 64 Degrees
BEST PRODUCER Sponsored by Wobblegate Fruit Juices and Eden Fruit Cider
Brighton Bier
Brighton Gin
Boho Gelato
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