St Albans Food and Drink Awards finalists revealed

Restaurants, pubs and cafes shortlisted for St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2018 have been unveiled following a public vote.

More than 190 businesses and individuals were nominated for the awards earlier this year across 14 categories. 

The public was then invited to vote for their favourites and the results have been used to compile a list of finalists for these popular awards.

Councillor Salih Gaygusuz, Portfolio Holder for Business and Community at St Albans City and District Council, said: “There are so many high-quality food and drink outlets in our City which makes St Albans one of the best destinations in Hertfordshire for dining and eating out. The St Albans Food and Drink Awards help celebrate this vibrant eating out scene as well as local food and drink producers. With so many nominees for these awards the competition is intense and I congratulate the finalists for making it through to this stage following the public vote. 

“The awards are a key highlight of the St Albans Food and Drink Festival which gives local businesses the opportunity to showcase their food and drink products.”

The finalists will all receive secret visits by members of the St Albans Food and Drink Festival steering group who will then select the winners. Product quality, customer service and ambience are among the attributes considered by the judging panel.

The winners of St Albans Food and Drink Awards will be revealed at a special dinner at Sopwell House that will conclude the festival on Monday 8 October. 

The finalists of the St Albans Food and Drink Awards 2018, are all located in St Albans unless otherwise stated. They are:

Best Restaurant for Special Occasion 

• Dylans Kings Arms 
• Lussmanns
• Prime Steak & Grill

Best Restaurant for Everyday Dining

• L’Italiana
• Lussmanns
• Per Tutti

Best Pub

• The Boot
• The Reading Rooms, Wheathampstead
• Ye Olde Fighting Cocks

Best Bar

• Dylans Kings Arms
• Suckerpunch
• Craft & Cleaver
• The Bishop’s Cave

Best Café

• George Street Canteen
• Hatch
• The Waffle House

Best Hot Beverage

• Charlie’s Coffee & Company
• Hatch
• The Pudding Stop

Best Local Producer

• Carpenter’s Nursery & Farm Shop
• Darlish
• Farr Brew, Wheathampstead

Best Food & Drink Shop

• Buongiorno Italia
• Carpenter’s Nursery & Farm Shop
• The Fleetville Larder
• The Pudding Stop

Best Market Stall

• Farr Brew, Wheathampstead
• The Cheesewheeler
• Peddling Pizza

Best Takeaway

• Hatch On the Go, St Albans 
• Taste of Vietnam
• The Ridgeway Fish Bar

Best Place to do Business

• George Street Canteen
• The Beech House
• Sopwell House

Most Family Friendly

• The Prae Wood Arms
• The Waffle House
• Ye Olde Fighting Cocks

Best Newcomer

• Heartwood Tea Rooms, Sandridge
• The Abbey Restaurant
• The Bishop’s Cave

Kate D’Arcy Award for Customer Service

• Liam Judge, Hatch
• Christo Tofalli, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
• Andrei Lussmann, Lussmanns
• Matthew Elvidge, Farr Brew
• Adam Atkins, Peddling Pizza

Many other events are being held during the St Albans Food and Drink Festival which runs from Wednesday September 26 to Monday October 8. Full details are available at www.enjoystalbans.com/foodanddrink