Cheshire Life have revealed the shortlist for the 2009 Cheshire Life Food and Wine Awards. The North West's top hospitality accolades reward the producers of the very highest standards of hospitality and suppliers of the highest quality food and drink in the region.
The highly regarded awards are chosen by a panel of independent judges who have travelled across the region this summer in search of the the best hotels, best restaurants and local "food heroes".
This year finalists for Restaurant of the Year include the Alderley Restaurant (pictured left), at the Alderley Edge Hotel, which currently has 2 AA rosettes. Head Chef Chris Holland serves up the very best in Modern British cuisine only using ingredients where possible from in and around Cheshire.
New awards were introduced last year recognising "Food Heroes" of the region whose produce is second to none. In this category two of the three finalists are from Alderley Edge. Firstly Grantham's Fine Food & Wine have been shortlisted. Our local delicatessen is renowned for their award winning range of over 150 cheeses, home cooked hams, dry cured Cheshire bacon, fine wines and an expanding range of organic produce.
Secondly Horseshoe Farm have also been nominated as a "Food Hero". Andy Morrison's farm has been established for over 25 years and is renowned for its home reared Angus beef, traditionally smoked bacon, hams, pork and sausages all from their own pigs. The family run business also has a reputation for the most succulent hand reared lambs and Cheshire bronze turkeys at Christmas.
We wish all three businesses the best of luck for the awards ceremony which will take place at Michael Caine's acclaimed restaurant in Manchester's Abode Hotel on Tuesday September 22nd. For further details regarding these awards see the September issue of Cheshire Life.
In the meantime check out the first in our new series of seasonal recipes from Head Chef Chris Holland in our forum and watch out for next month's special offers which feature membership discounts from two of these nominated venues.
