A glittering night of London’s best
THE HEROES of high street cuisine allowed someone else to wine and dine them for a change this weekend.
Prize winning chefs, chip shop and restaurant owners, waiters and pub landlords all gathered for the final of the prestigious Archant London Food and Drink Awards, sponsored by quality supermarket chain Waitrose.
The glitzy gala dinner, at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Portman Square, London W1, was hosted by celebrity chef and top restaurant owner Aldo Zilli.
Eighteen different awards were handed out, each celebrating the very best in good food or excellent service.
All of the contenders had already won awards voted for by the readers of their local Archant newspapers.
But this was their chance to show they were the best in London.
Starting off proceedings Enzo Testa, Managing Director of Archant London, said: “London has a wealth of food outlets ranging from the sandwich bar on the corner to exquisite restaurants.
“This evening is about celebrating the diversity and applauding the excellence within the food and drink industry.”
Guest of Honour Aldo Zilli took to the stage and gave a speech based on his colourful life and the state of the restaurant industry.
“All of you here tonight deserve to be here because you run a very good ship and you are doing a very good job with the food available in this country,” he said.
“In the restaurant industry I’ve noticed a huge difference in the last ten years. People are eating out a lot more.
He added: “I know how hard it is filling a restaurant, believe me. I opened nine restaurants in my life. I’ve got four left and I can’t wait until I have none left! It’s probably the hardest business there is.”
A charity collection raised more than £1,500 for Help a London Child, and diners enjoyed a ‘head or tails’ game, based on the toss of a coin.
The winner, Lin Wan from Chan’s Restaurant in East Ham, won a meal for two at Mr Zilli’s Soho restaurant and a signed copy of his latest book.
After a delicious three course meal and some entertainment from a trio of opera singing waiters it was time for the main event of the evening – the awards.
First up to collect their prize was the winner of the Best Waiter or Waitress category, sponsored by Islington Fostering. Vincenzo Cuomo and Piotr Rybarczyk took the award for I Paparazzi at The Coach House in Romford.
The next winner who had clearly impressed their customers, won Best Indian Restaurant prize, sponsored by Land and New Homes. It went to Red Rose in Holloway Road, Islington.
Chan’s Restaurant in East Ham won Best Chinese, sponsored by Redbridge College, and Best Thai, sponsored by The Mall in Ilford, went to Yum Yum in Stoke Newington.
The top Vietnamese restaurant in London was Cay Tre, The Vietnamese Kitchen, in Hoxton. Sponsors of that award were The Innovatory.
Luigi’s Restaurant in Ilford won the Best Italian category, sponsored by espresso machine makers Gaggia, for the second year running.
Also celebrating for the second time was the Barking Cafe in Barking who won Best Cafe prize, sponsored by No Frills.
Best Irish was won by Corrib Restaurant in Queen’s Park, who also won in 2006. That award is sponsored by Bavo Restaurant.
Sleepright sponsor the Best Greek category, which was won by Apollonia Restaurant in Ilford.
Bavo Restaurant in Islington beat off competition from a host of Turkish rivals to win Best Turkish Restaurant, sponsored by Barking College.
Another Islington establishment, Le Petite Auberge, took Best French prize, sponsored by Redbridge Institute of Adult Education.
Best Other Restaurant, the prize for eateries which do not fit into the other categories, went to Crouch End Moroccan restaurant Bouga. Sponsors were Waltham Forest College.
Then the night got even better for The Coach House in Romford when they won Best Hotel Restaurant, their second prize of the evening, sponsored by Hyperfi.
Drinkers will certainly be charging their glasses at the Prince of Wales in Ilford. Landlord David Christof picked up Best Pub award, sponsored by Zoology, for the second year running.
Heritage Inn in Cricklewood was crowned the Best Caribbean Restaurant, sponsored by Dalgety Teas and Caribbean Products.
Familiar faces from Upney Fish Bar in Barking were up on stage next to collect the Best Fish and Chip Shop prize, sponsored by Billingsgate Fish Market, for the second year.
Another repeat winner, Truffles Restaurant in Romford, picked up Most Family Friendly sponsored by Ilford Preparatory School .
And last, but certainly not least, The Coach House, Romford to round off a fantastic night for them and their I Paparazzi restaurant. Monserrato Marini picked up Best Chef award, sponsored by Barking College.
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