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REVEALED: Shortlist for the Menu Food and Drink 2020 Awards

The entries being discussed at DC Thomson's headquarters in Dundee.
The entries being discussed at DC Thomson's headquarters in Dundee.

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 Chalmers.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Graham Huband.
Gillian Lord.