Restaurant Awards
A record 15,000 people have voted for their favourite restaurants, cafes and pubs, in the fourth annual Eat Sheffield awards, organised by the Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University. The winners were announced last night at the awards ceremony at the St Paul's Mercure hotel.
Votes were cast for more than 300 restaurants, pubs and cafes in the Sheffield region, using social media, voting cards and the Eat Sheffield website.
The Devonshire Arms in Middle Handley took the highly-prized 'Eat Sheffield 2011 Restaurant of the Year' title. Jill Swift, owner of the Devonshire Arms, said: "It's been very hard work for us but I'm absolutely elated to win - we're all very excited.
"Eat Sheffield is down to the public vote and I'm a Sheffield girl, born in Stannington. It's so great to think that this was voted for by people that I've lived with all my life. I'm very proud, I can't believe it.
"We'll carry on doing what we've been doing because it works. We produce good food, good quality, local ingredients - there's no different plan, but we will aim to get better and better."
Speaking at the awards, Professor Adrian Hopgood, pro vice-chancellor dean of the Sheffield Business School, said: "The whole food industry is such a major industry, the commercial life of Sheffield depends on it. The Eat Sheffield initiative is growing year on year, and it's developing huge momentum. You can see tonight that this is massive for the city, and particularly for the people who have won tonight."
The Devonshire Arms also took the award for 'Favourite Gastro Pub', which was the most voted for of all the categories, while the 'Favourite Traditional Pub' category went to The York in Broomhill. Ed Andrews of Our Cow Molly was given the 'Sheffield Food Hero' award, which recognises champions of local produce, while the Wig and Pen was crowned 'Newcomer 2011'.
Eat Sheffield manager Niki Baker said: "It's a joy to celebrate the fantastic food culture in Sheffield, and without the hard work of the restaurateurs and the support of the public these awards wouldn't happen, so thank you to everyone who voted or took part."
Favourite Cafe ~ Category Sponsor Cafelogy
Favourite British ~ Category Sponsor Bibendum
Favourite European ~ Category Sponsor Gruyere
Favourite Italian ~ Category Sponsor ABP
Favourite Indian ~ category sponsor Speedibake
Favourite Asian Oriental ~ Category Sponsor Glorious!
Favourite Gastro Pub ~ Category Sponsor Centre For Food Innovation, SBS at SHU
Devonshire Arms, Middle Handley
Favourite Traditional Pub ~ Category Sponsor Brownill Vickers,
Favourite Family Outing ~ Category Sponsor Mercury Taxis,
Favourite Food Outlet ~ Category Sponsor the Sheffield Telegraph;
Sheffield Food Hero ~ Category Sponsor MagicAM
Newcomer 2011 ~ Category Sponsor Ultrasharp
Green & Sustainable ~ Category Sponsor Sheffield Is My Planet
Eat Sheffield Restaurant of the Year!!
Devonshire Arms, Middle Handley
To see a full list of all our finalists and winners please click here.
