THE winners of the 2018 Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Awards have been announced. To celebrate, each week Jamie Walker will be hearing from one of the winners.

First it’s Jake Goldstein, general manager at The Plotting Parlour, Steine Street, Brighton, which won Best Cocktail Bar.

What does it mean to be named best cocktail bar in Brighton?

Competition is something I have never been fond of. I think every single bar has its own atmosphere, its own loyal crowd and its own identity. It is however, incredible to receive recognition for doing what we love.

We have been around for four years now and I have never wanted to be the best, I’ve just wanted to make our guests happy, that’s what it’s all about.

This award means they are certainly leaving with smiles on their faces. That is surely what everyone in this industry strives for and now we have proof of just how happy they are.

What sets you apart from the rest?

I think that our style being table service makes us different from most other bars around.

It creates a very different atmosphere which our guests seem to love.

Apart from that I guess just simple delicious drinks with a plethora of home-made ingredients.

When you make everything yourself it gives you so much freedom with flavour, plus there are no nasty E numbers or other additives to worry about.

If someone came in for a drink over the winter months, what would you recommend?

We have some tasty Christmas drinks going on next week.

Our head bartender Manon has made a drink based on her grandmother’s apple strudel which is amazing.