It was a difficult decision for our judges but after much deliberation they have decided the winners in our East Midlands Food and Drink Awards.
The awards were all about championing what is great about the region’s cuisine and recognising excellence within dining venues.
It also aimed to give a very big public pat on the back to all those who work so tirelessly to bring us great food and drink everytime we choose to dine out.
And it really was a contest open to all – your local fish and chip shop, your favourite place for a pint or a top-notch dining spot.
Readers voted in their thousands for their favourites – and South Holland more than held its own in the region by being well represented in the list of final winners.
Staff at the Bull Inn in Fleet Hargate have been celebrating their success as Best Community Pub, while Linfords Fish and Chips picked up honours in the Best Customer Service and Best Fish and Chips categories.
The Playbarn at Springfields, Spalding, even picked up the award for Best Family Friendly Venue.
Best Customer Service – Red India, Oakham; Indus Indian Cuisine, Spalding
Best Dining Pub – The Wicked Witch, Ryhall; The Sebastopol Inn, Minting; The Wheatsheaf at Hubbert’s Bridge
Best Family Friendly Venue – Hall Farm Park; Cafe at the Samworth Centre, Melton Mowbray
Best Fish and Chips – Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips, Stanground, Peterborough; The Mermaid Fish Bar, Horncastle
Best Hotel Meal – Stoke Rochford Hall; The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa; Sysonby Knoll Hotel, Melton Mowbray
Best Indian Restaurant – Indus Indian Cuising, Spalding
Best Newcomer – The Sebastopol Inn, Minting; L’Olivetto, Oakham; The Pantry, Corby Glen
Best Oriental Restaurant – Yang Xian, Bourne; The Brewery Tap, Peterborough
Best Sunday Lunch – Stoke Rochford Hall; The Golden Lion, Moulton Seas End
Best Tea Room/Cafe – Pizzini, Bottesford; Cafe at the Samworth Centre, Melton Mowbray; Concreation Garden Centre, Boston