Hey guys, how’s it going? I hope all is well with the world. News hot off the press is making this Derby foodie very happy. Derby’s Food and Drink Awards Finalists have just been announced, woohoo! There were over a whopping 1,600 nominations for the seventh annual event and quite a few of my favourite restaurants have made it into the finals. There are some restaurants that I haven’t had the chance to check out yet (heard lots of good things about Rowley’s so that’s definitely on my list to review). I’ll be working my way through these and reviewing on my foodie blog, so keep your eyes peeled. Meanwhile, for the Derby Food & Drink Awards, here are the categories:

Best International (Sponsored by Flint Bishop)

  • Finalist – The Spice Lounge
  • Finalist – Lorentes
  • Finalist – Okra

Best Café (Sponsored by Bespoke Inns)

  • Finalist – Bean Caffe Riverside
  • Finalist – Cube at Deda
  • Finalist – Café Caruso Boutique

Best Bar

  • Finalist – The Distillery
  • Finalist – The Brooklyn Social
  • Finalist – Mansion

Best Pub

  • Finalist – The Silk Mill Ale and Cider House
  • Finalist – The Tap
  • Finalist – The Exeter Arms

Best Newcomer (Sponsored by Underwood Vinecombe Solicitors)

  • Finalist – The Brooklyn Social
  • Finalist – Hide
  • Finalist – Café Lavanta

Best Out of Town (Sponsored by Sky Recruitment)

  • Finalist – Angelo’s The New Inn, Belper
  • Finalist – Fintons Café and Bakehouse, Breaston
  • Finalist – Hackwood Farm, Ashbourne

Best Customer Service (Sponsored by Derby Telegraph)

  • Finalist – Iberico
  • Finalist – The Spice Lounge
  • Finalist – Dovecote Restaurant, Morley Hayes
  • Finalist – Okra
  • Finalist – The Engine Shed
  • Finalist – Le Bistrot Pierre

Restaurant of the Year (Sponsored by Marketing Derby Bondholders)

  • Finalist – Iberico
  • Finalist – Masa
  • Finalist – Rowley’s

There were some disappointments (I was gutted to see The Wonky Table wasn’t a finalist in any of the categories as their food is really gorgeous). Best of luck to all other eateries and cafés. I reviewed Iberico for The Derbyshire Guardian, expect a restaurant review of that imminently.

Ciao for now,

RAxx