After hours of deliberation, the judges for the Menu Awards 2020 have a shortlist. Gayle Ritchie reports…
After discussions and deliberations galore, it is finally time to reveal the shortlist for The Courier Menu Food and Drink Awards 2020.
Now in its third year, the aim of the event is to celebrate the outstanding talent across the region and it was obvious from all the fantastic entries that Courier Country has this in abundance.
Our panel of judges got together at The Courier publisher DC Thomson’s flagship building in Dundee to go through each and every entry in minute detail.
The judges were overwhelmed by the number of top-class entries they received for the 11 categories and all agreed it was a tough job deciding on a shortlist.
Debates were intense, as the panel – including Courier restaurant reviewer Murray Chalmers, former MasterChef winner Jamie Scott, Courier deputy editor Graham Huband and Courier features editor Gillian Lord – chipped in with their thoughts on entrants but, thankfully, nobody fell out.
The winners of each category, as well as the 2020 brand ambassador, will be announced at the five-star gala dinner in the Apex Hotel, Dundee, on March 12.
Book your table now. dctevents.com/event/the-menu-food-and-drink-awards/
SHORTLIST
Chef of the Year
Dean Banks – Haar Restaurant
Lorna McNee – Restaurant Andrew Fairlie
Martin Hollis – Old Course Hotel
Praveen Kumar – Tabla Indian Restaurant
Scott Hessel – Crieff Hydro
Cocktail & Wine Bar of the Year
Bird & Bear
Draffens
The Wine Press
3 Session Street
Craft Beer/Cider of the Year
Lost Orchards Cider
Law Brewing Company
Ovenstone 109
St Andrews Brewing Company
Craft Distiller of the Year
Carnoustie Distillery
Darnley’s Gin
Entrepreneur of the Year
Alex Cruikshank – Fonab Farm Foods
Phil Donaldson – Macmerry 300
Praveen Kumar – Tabla Indian Restaurant
WeeCook Pies
Food/Drink Destination of the Year
Angus Farmers Market
Bowhouse
Cairn O’ Mohr
The Gin Bothy
Independent Coffee Shop of the Year
AliBob
Sweet Pea café
The Post House
The Whistle Stop
Wee Bear Café
Newcomer of the Year
Crafty Maltsters
La Sicilyana
Podberry
The Crafters
The Kinneuchar Inn
Producer of the Year
Ardross Farm Shop
Crafty Maltsters
Podberry
Summer Harvest
Pub of the Year
The Jigger Inn
Bankfoot Inn
The Kirkstyle Inn
The Pitcairngreen Inn
Restaurant of The Year
Cromwell Kitchens
Little’s Restaurant
Moor of Rannoch Restaurant
The Kinneuchar Inn
The Tayberry
Street Vendor
Mezzaluna
Relish It
Simply Flo
Wild Fire Pizza
PANEL COMMENTS
The judges were hugely impressed by the quality of entries received for the Menu Awards 2020.
A large cross-section of Courier Country’s food and drink industry was well represented in each of the 11 categories, which made judging a tough process.
Ultimately, the judges were there to come up with a shortlist – and while tricky, it was great fun, too.
Courier restaurant reviewer Murray Chalmers said the judging process was a “real pleasure” and that he enjoyed discovering the back stories of entrants.
He said: “Many have very interesting stories behind them, often involving struggle, determination and downright bloody-mindedness.
“To have a vision for a business and see it translate to customers is such a rewarding thing.
“It was really hard to judge many of the categories and it was good to hear so many different opinions from the fellow judges.
“There was intense debate but no rows and we all managed to reach a happy consensus on all categories.”
Murray said the one thing that struck him during the judging process was the fact that, often, all it takes to get started in the food and drink business is a good idea.
“So many of the entrants were small, independent concerns, with little or no backing,” he said.
“And yet their ideas were great. Many of them took into account the social and environmental impact of their work, which was very heartening.”
Jamie Scott, head chef at The Newport Restaurant and a former MasterChef: The Professionals winner, said he thought the entries were of a “very high level” and a good variation.
He added: “Tay Country is on trend for pushing boundaries and evolving the already thriving food and drink sector.”
Martha Bryce, director of Soundbite PR, specialising in hospitality and food and drink businesses, agreed that the strength of this year’s entries made judging particularly tricky.
She said: “It was really encouraging to see so many entries in the Newcomer category: a sign if ever there was one that food and drink is really thriving across the region.
“I’m looking forward to the winners being revealed at the ceremony next month.”
Owen Hazel, co-owner of Jannettas Gelateria, said being on this year’s judging panel was a big privilege.
“Having the opportunity to see first- hand the vast array of amazing food and drink producers and what they are achieving is incredible,” he said.
“Scotland may be a small country but Courier Country is flying the flag for excellence.
“There are so many deserving businesses going above and beyond in this region, and that made it difficult as a judge to whittle down the entries. Well done to all who entered.”
