2008 Archant London Food and Drink Awards – The Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, London
- Click here to view pictures from the awards night
- Click here to see our winners
More than 350 restaurateurs from across London and the South East gathered together at the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel in London on Sunday for the 2008 Archant London Food and Drink Awards.
Guest host Jean-Christophe Novelli, delighted the audience with his charm and warmth throughout the evening, and received rapturous applause as he took to the stage alongside Archant London Managing Director, Enzo Testa, to hand out prizes recognising some of London’s favourite restaurants and bars as voted for by the readers of Archant London newspapers.
Talking about his love and passion for food, Jean-Christophe literally had everyone eating from the palm of his hand. Never has there been such a warm welcome for a celebrity chef at any previous awards, as that which was given to him last night. A true testament to the man himself, that he is simply adored and respected by many in the restaurant world.
The awards themselves attracted some 600,000 votes across 16 categories which included, Best Italian, Best French, Best Organic and Best Hotel Restaurant.
Restaurants that entered were sent voting cards which were given to their customers encouraging them to log onto www.london24.com/londonfooddrinkawards to vote.
The votes were then collated for each newspaper publishing area across London and the South East, and the restaurants with the most votes from each area became the regional winners. All regional winners received framed certificates at the awards, along with the prestige of having been voted for by the general public.
The winners of the regional categories were then automatically entered into the overall London final. The winning establishments were those that had the most votes from the original votes and received the Archant London trophy for their chosen category.
The awards which were launched back in March 2008 were the most successful to date, with more than 600 businesses taking part and joining together last night to celebrate the culinary skills of some of London’s finest restaurants and eating places.
Archant London’s MD Enzo Testa said,
“These awards have taken on a life of their own. The overwhelming response from London diners, yet again re-enforces the quality and diversity of the regions eateries.”
Overall Winner for Best Chinese Restaurant- Eastern Palace “I would like to thank you all very much for organising the Archant London Food & Drink Awards 2008 at the Radisson Hotel on Sunday 7 September 2008. We had all enjoyed ourself very much and thank you for the awards.”
Overall Winner for Best Thai Restaurant- Project A Bar “I would like to thank you all for such a wonderful evening, and for us to win this award within 6months of opening is just... Well i'm left speechless, have been since Sunday.”
CATEGORY |
WINNER |
|
LATE NIGHT BAR |
Torriano (151 Upper Street London) |
|
MIXOLOGIST |
Torriano (71-73, Torriano Avenue London) |
|
BRITISH |
Serene Fish & Chips |
|
GREEK |
The Corinthian |
|
GASTRO PUB |
Prince of Wales |
|
ITALIAN |
Faraglioni Restaurant |
|
VIETNAMESE |
Langsen Vietnamese Restaurant |
|
CHINESE |
Eastern Palace |
|
FRENCH |
54 Topsfield Parade |
|
INDIAN |
Red Rose Tandoori |
|
MODERN EUROPEAN |
Fig & Olive |
|
THEMED |
The Triangle |
|
ORGANIC |
The Idle Hour |
|
BISTRO |
The Halfway House |
|
HOTEL |
Harefield Manor |
|
THAI |
Project A-Bar Restaurant |
Click here to view pictures from the awards night
For further details contact Archant London Marketing Team on 020 8477 3954 or email: marketing.enquiries@archant.co.uk
The Food & Drink Awards is covered throughout the awards campaign in our following print titles plus their corresponding websites, which combined have a readership of over 1 million!
Kentish Times Group
Gravesend Reporter
Dartford Times
Bexley Times
Bromley Times
Post Newspapers
East London
East London Advertiser
Hackney Gazette
Stratford & Newham
Express
North London
Islington Gazette
Camden Gazette
Hornsey Journal
Tot, Wd Grn & Edm Journal
Muswell Hill Journal
North West London
Kilburn Times
Willesden & Brent Times
Wembley & Kingsbury Times
Hampstead
Ham and High
Ham High Broadway
Marylebone Express
Wood & Vale
Recorder