THE GOOD FOOD AWARDS 2022

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This month we’re cooking up something rather special as we launch our Good Food Awards for 2022. Vote for your favourite restaurants and food & drink from across Rutland & Stamford and we’ll ensure they get the recognition they deserve...

Words: Rob Davis.

Introducing the Pride Magazines Good Food Awards 2022, a quest to name the finest restaurants, hotels and food & drink producers from across Rutland & Stamford and give them all the recognition they deserve... and you can help by voting for your favourite places to dine, too!

Below: Sam Sharman of The White Horse, Baston; Ben Poulton, Head Chef of The Six Bells, Witham, Aaron Patterson of Hambleton Hall; Sam McDonald, Orbis Oakham; Ben Clark of Baston’s White Horse.

Vote for your favourite restaurants, coffee shops or food producers at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or use the voting form at the end of this feature.

Since our last Good Food Awards we’re delighted to see the continued decline of Covid-19 from the news headlines. The pandemic decimated the hospitality industry despite schemes like the good-intentioned Eat Out to Help Out, but still the industry faces tough times, with many reporting difficulties in recruiting chefs and other staff, and a cost of living crisis is causing many consumers to watch their pennies and perhaps dine out less regularly. Meanwhile, other research suggests that around 400 pubs in the UK close each year. That all sounds very negative, but on the other hand, there’s plenty of cause to be cheerful. The hospitality industry has always proved to be really resilient, and remains determined to get back to full strength. There’s also a booming staycation market as the rising cost of flight this summer ensured that 53% of British people said that they intended to holiday at home instead of going abroad. And of course, the talent of British chefs, especially emerging talent entering the industry has never been stronger. With Christmas approaching too, we’ll all be looking to plan parties, enjoy dining out and raise a glass at our local pubs, restaurants and enjoy really good coffee at our local independent coffee shops. That’s why we’re again hosting our Good Food Awards to recognise the best businesses across Rutland & Stamford across six categories. We’re asking you, our readers, to name the best restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, hotels, and to nominate your local food and drink heroes. Vote for whichever businesses you wish, using the entry form at the back of this feature. We look forward to seeing your recommendations! >>

Above: Easton on the Hill’s Exeter Arms was featured in our March edition.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN OUR AWARDS...

This month we’ll introduce our awards categories and profile some of the talent around the county in each category. We’re asking you to vote for your favourite Rutland & Stamford restaurants, cafés and food & drink suppliers either by filling in the form at the end of this feature, or by voting online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk. Your votes will county towards the naming of our overall winners in our January edition.

THIS YEAR’S CATEGORIES ARE: n Restaurant of the Year n Café, Bar or Bistro of the Year n International Cuisine n Restaurant with Rooms n Rutland or Stamford food producer n Locally produced drink >>

Hambleton Hall took last year’s Restaurant of the Year title.

Vote for your favourite restaurants, coffee shops or food producers at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or use the voting form at the end of this feature.

Restaurant of the Year 2022

In the first category of our Good Food Awards, we’re keen to know your recommendations for the restaurant you think offers the best combination of satisfying food, attentive service, a great setting and good value for money too...

OUR FIRST CATEGORY and the flagship award in this year’s Good Food Awards is dedicated to finding out which restaurant our readers reckon is the best in the county. That’s quite a large undertaking, so perhaps we’ll reflect a little on what makes a restaurant really good. Food is subjective, with some preferring hearty gastropub dishes, and others opting for smaller dishes more oriented to fine dining. In addition, a restaurant’s setting and its front of house team also need to be considered. There’s a lot to be said for consistency, too. Nowhere is more consistant than Rutland’s more notable restaurant, Hambleton Hall (see opposite) which has held its Michelin star accolade since 1982. And just down the road is Clipsham’s Olive Branch (01780 410355, www.theolivebranchpub.com) whose style may be more relaxed, but under Head Chef Luke Holland and co-owners Ben Jones & Sean Hope, its offering of food is still impeccable. Elsewhere, Barnsdale Lodge (01572 724678, www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk) has fresh talent in the kitchen in the form of Marco Manner, and Cedrik Rullier. Together, they’re working to ensure that one of Rutland’s most respected restaurants can maintain its reputation and continue to offer guests a warm welcome. Adjacent to the water, too, is Rutland Hall (01572 757901, rutlandhall.co.uk) which has undergone a complete refurbishment, under new owners Dineshbhai and Savitaben Patel.

Other suggestions for your vote include the grande dame of coaching inns, The George of Stamford’s (01780 750750, www.georgehotel ofstamford.com), or a really exceptional pub such as Baston’s White Horse (01778 560923, www.thewhitehorsebaston.co.uk) or perhaps The Crown in Uppingham (01572 822302, www.crownuppingham.co.uk). n

Last Year’s Winners:

HAMBLETON HALL HOTEL, RUTLAND

Last year saw our Restaurant of the Year title awarded to Hambleton Hall, which is home to Tim & Stefa Hart, Director and Head Chef Aaron Patterson and his brigade, not to mention General Manager Chris Hurst, Restaurant Director Graeme Matheson and Sommelier Dominique Baduel. As a team they’ve created a stunning place to enjoy first class dining, but what’s really nice is that the team use their guests’ happiness, not their Michelin star or many accolades as a measure of the success. n Hambleton, Oakham LE15 8TH. Call 01572 756991or see www.hambletonhall.com.

Vote for your favourite restaurants, coffee shops or food producers at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or use the voting form at the end of this feature.

Café, Coffee Shop or Bistro of the Year 2022

For lighter dining or afternoon tea across Rutland & Stamford, we’re appealing for your best recommendations of a place to enjoy morning coffee, lunchtime dishes with local ingredients, or afternoon tea with a slice of homemade cake...

OUR NEXT CATEGORY asks our readers to name their favourite daytime destination, somewhere to enjoy brunch, morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea.

If you’re looking for a stunning setting in which to enjoy brunch – including healthy granola and toasted sourdough with banana, honey and berries – or lunchtime savouries, The Hayloft at Hunters (01780 753351, www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk) has a great terrace for the warmer months and for winter, a cosy coffee shop indoors adjacent to the retailer’s lovely barns full of soft furnishings, accessories and ideas for your home. Also in Stamford, Burghley House’s Orangery (01780 761989, www.burghley.co.uk) provides lunch, afternoon tea and sweet treats, whilst Cheyne Lane’s Lambert’s (01780 767063, www.lamberts-stamford.co.uk) is a run by chef Steven Conway, who, as well as fulfilling his kitchen, deli, coffee remit, also hosts themed evenings such as a Spanish Dinner Night which takes place on Friday 14th October, with five courses for £35/head. In Oakham, we’ll recommend Otter’s Deli (01572 756481, www.ottersfinefoods.co.uk), which relocated to Oakham’s High Street in November 2019 and now offers light lunches and breakfasts incorporating its smoked meats and cheeses. In Uppingham, we enjoy Don Paddys, (01572 822255, donpaddys.co.uk), the town’s most respected brasserie. Our final recommendation is the Garden Restaurant at Gates Garden Centre (01664 454309, www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk), which, in addition to its excellent 350-seater restaurant, has an equally fantastic farm shop on site. n

Last Year’s Winners:

CENTRAL CAFE AND TEAROOMS...

We asked our readers last year for their recommendations for a place serving good coffee and great lunchtime dishes. Our Stamford readers are absolutely in love with the town’s Central Café and Tearooms, located in a 15th century timber-framed building. The setting might be traditional but the café’s provision of food and drink is thoroughly up to date, with classic sandwiches, warm paninis perfect for the winter months, homemade burgers and quality coffee prepared by professional baristas. Our readers enjoy the fact that it’s independently owned and run, has great character and offers a warm welcome. n Central Café & Tearooms, Red Lion Street, Stamford PE9 2AJ Call 01780 763217 or see www.centraltearoom.co.uk.

Vote for your favourite restaurants, coffee shops or food producers at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or use the voting form at the end of this feature.

ROTY International Cuis

International Cuisine 2022

Not so much around the world in 80 days, as around the area’s restaurants in several dishes. We’d like to name your favourite local restaurant for international cuisine, and we’ve some suggestions of our own to inspire you, as well!

TRAVEL THE WORLD without leaving Rutland or Stamford as we introduce our third category in our Good Food Awards, whichisineaims to recognise restaurants whose influences go beyond our own shores. Last year’s winner was the Nikkei-influenced pan-Asian restaurant Orbis (see opp), which has restaurants in both Oakham and Stamford. The cuisine is deliciously different, and includes sushi rolls, shellfish, mini tacos and spring rolls as well as sirloins of Wagyu beef and maple syrup-infused belly pork with crackling and bacon jam. For North West Indian cuisine, we’ll point you in the direction of Sarpech, based in Oakham (01572 842888, sarpech.co.uk). With Pakistan and Punjab influences, each dishes is created authentically, but with good quality local ingredients where possible. Meanwhile, Stamford’s Mad Turk restaurant (01780 238001, www.themadturk.co.uk), has Turkish and Anatolian influences, including barbecue dishes, not to mention to local spirit, Raki, a twice-distilled aniseed-flavoured spirit. Also based in Stamford, Candlesticks (01780 764033, www.candlestickshotel.co.uk), was established in 1975 to provide locals with cuisine influenced by owner Manuel Pinto’s Madeiran and Portuguese heritage. Another unusual dining out nationality is offered by Fika (01572 352935, fikacafe.co.uk), which translates as ‘the little things in life.’ Menu-wise that means fresh salads, lassi bowls, dishes with international influences (Moroccan spices, Huevos rancheros) and compelling brunch options like the Fika Fry breakfast.

And finally, for a quality Italian, consider Cloisters Bistro (01780 755162, www.cloisters bistro.com), which offers antipasti, pasta, pizza and homemade desserts. n

Last Year’s Winners:

ORBIS OF OAKHAM & STAMFORD

Award winning international cuisine and twin locations in both Rutland and Stamford was enough to ensure victory for Orbis in last year’s awards. The restaurant, owned by Jonathan Spencer, opened first in Oakham in a small premises off Church Street. Jonathan soon opened a second restaurant on Stamford’s All Saints’ Place, taking over the restaurant formerly known as Hoppi Dorri and incorporating the latter into the business as a sub-brand. Finally, he moved his Oakham restaurant into his much larger Mill Street premises to serve a larger audience his brilliant Nikkai fusion cuisine. n Mill Street, Oakham LE15 6EA, All Saints’ Place, Stamford PE9 2AR, 01572 359211, 01780 669950 www.orbisoakham.co.uk.

Vote for your favourite restaurants, coffee shops or food producers at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or use the voting form at the end of this feature.

Restaurant with Rooms

Retire to bed in comfort after a fulfilling meal, as we invite you to vote for your favourite ‘restaurant with rooms.’ Here are our suggestions to provide some inspiration...

THERE’S ONLY ONE THING BETTER than enjoying a really good meal, and that’s being able to slump down into a comfortable bed afterwards and enjoy a good night’s sleep. Happily, Rutland & Stamford are well-served when it comes to providing a number of restaurants that offer not only a satisfying dining experience but which also have comfortable rooms so nobody has to drive home. If you’ve friends or relatives visiting the area from afar, it’s also nice to have a few suggestions tucked up your sleeve for them to stay in both style and comfort. Top of the list in Rutland is Hambleton Hall (01572 756991, www.hambletonhall.com) with its 17 beautiful rooms and suites, classically styled by Stefa Hart, who prior to being a hotelier worked alongside interior designer Nina Campbell. The lovely design of the hotel’s interiors is commensurate both with its beautiful grounds, and with the Michelin-star cuisine created by Director Aaron Patterson and his brigade. Also in Rutland is The Olive Branch’s provision of luxury accommodation, Beech House (01780 410355, www.theolivebranchpub.com) created in 2003 as half a dozen rooms to allow overnight stays near the Michelin-recommended pub restaurant in Clipsham. In Stamford meanwhile, there’s one of the most well-respected coaching inns in the country, The George Hotel of Stamford (see opposite). Other recommendations include Exton’s Barnsdale Lodge, which is ideal for those seeking to enjoy the reservoir (01572 724678, www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk) and Rutland Hall, newly reopened after a complete refurbishment. Finally, if you’re in Uppingham, Lake Isle (01572 822951, lakeisle.co.uk) is a two AArosette ‘restaurant with rooms,’ whilst The Crown in Uppingham (01572 822302) provides exceptional comfort in its six beautifully refurbished bedrooms. n

Last Year’s Winners: THE GEORGE OF STAMFORD

As coaching inns go, The George of Stamford is very impressive with its traditional style, absolutely exceptional food in its wood-panelled dining room, its additional Garden Room restaurant and its 45 beautifully appointed bedrooms. It’s possible that the hotel dates back to 947AD, but a coaching inn was definitely in operation in 1597 when William Cecil –treasurer to Queen Elizabeth and creator of Burghley House – rebuilt the main part of the hotel. Today it has a Grade II* listing and its chef Gareth Thorpe works hard alongside his brigade, assiduously creating dishes like Dover Sole, Woodbridge Duck and the hotel’s flagship provision of Beef Sirloin, carved at your table. n The George of Stamford, St Martin’s, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2LB Call 01780 750750 or see www.georgehotelofstamford.com.

Vote for your favourite restaurants, coffee shops or food producers at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or use the voting form at the end of this feature.

Local Food Producer 2022

We love to champion the county’s best food producers and farmers... and our readers do too. So we’ve created our penultimate category to represent the area’s best local farmers, butchers, bakers and food producers creating exceptional food!

RUTLAND’S farmers and food producers work really hard to ensure the quality and provenance of their food. Among these of course is Hambleton Bakery (01572 812995, www.hambletonbakery.co.uk) the omnipotent artisan bakery founded in 2008 by Julian Carter – then pastry chef at Hambleton Hall – and Tim Hart, owner of the latter. Though the bakery is still trading from its original premises in a former power station on the Exton estate, the bakery has just opened a brand new £1.5m plant. It was necessary to satisfy demand for the many restaurants who source their bread from the bakery, and to keep its six shops well-stocked. Some local butchers worthy of mention are Grasmere Farm (01778 342344, grasmerefarm.co.uk.), who are award-winning specialist producers of pork from traditionally-raised Hampshire-cross animals. The company’s Four butchers’ shops provide pork, beef, lamb and poultry, as well as sausages, burgers and barbecue products. Meanwhile, Farmer Lou (07807 748352, www.farmerlou.co.uk) is based in Exton and provides a delicious range of farm-reared meats, artisan craft sausages and burgers. Northfield Farm (01664 474271, northfield farm.com), based at Whissendine is home to Jan McCourt and sons who rear British dry-aged beef, sold via its own farm shop. Rutland’s Launde Farm Foods (01572 490428, www.laundefarmfoods.co.uk), specialises in grass-fed, sustainably-farmed lamb, from its high-welfare operation near the Abbey. A last mention too for Rutland Water Fruit Farm which provides strawberries and asparagus in the summer, as well as rapeseed oil for cooking (07875 479533) and to Vivia Crumps (www.viviacrumps.co.uk) who produce relishes, and chutneys right here in the county. The penultimate category in our awards are all about recognising the quality, provenance and high-welfare standards of local food producers. Of course, these are just our suggestions. You can and should nominate your preferred local food producer and ensure that we can recognise their talent in this year’s Good Food Awards! n

Last Year’s Winners:

GATES GARDEN CENTRE’S FARM SHOP

Quite in addition to being the nicest people you’ll ever meet, the Gates family – Nigel, Kathy, Jack & Frankie – and their whole team are also real fans of Rutland and its local produce. That’s why they’ve ensured that their Farm Shop – which spans 12,000sq ft, has over 4,000 products, and opened in Autumn 2019 – is the best farm shop in the area. With beef reared on the family’s farm by Jack, Hambleton bread, a milk vending machine, ‘squeeze-your-own’ orange juice and other delicious food and drink, it’s little wonder our readers voted Gates Farm Shop their favourite food producer or retailer in last year’s awards. Last month, homeware and kitchenware retailer Lakeland also opened its new store on the site too. n Cold Overton, LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309, www.gatesfarmshop.co.uk.

Vote for your favourite restaurants, coffee shops or food producers at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or use the voting form at the end of this feature.

Best Local Drink Producer

Raise a glass or stick the kettle on as our last category celebrates Rutland & Stamford’s best producers of refreshing drinks...

IF YOU’RE FEELING THIRSTY in Rutland or Stamford, worry not... there’s plenty of producers of good local drinks – alcoholic and otherwise – to recommend.

Not least among these is Multum Gin Parvo (see opposite) which won our final category, celebrating producers of local drinks, last year.

Another renowned local gin producers is Harrington-based Warner’s Distillery (01536 710623, warnersdistillery.com) which counts rhubarb, honey, raspberry, elderflower and also apple and pear among its flavours.

In Stamford, the All Saints Brewery (01780 752186, www.allsaintsbrewery.co.uk) produces delicious fruit beers using equipment like its mash tun dating back to 1876.

Another well-renowned brewery is Oakham’s very own Grainstore Brewery (01572 770065, www.grainstorebrewery.com) which was established in 1995 and has been the recipient of Good Pub Guide awards for their ales on no fewer than five occasions.

Slightly out of the area but well-regarded locally and usually the recipients of a number of votes, Belvoir Fruit Farms (01476 870286, belvoirfarm.co.uk) began making elderflower cordial and now has over 40 varieties of premium non-alcoholic drinks in its portfolio. New to Rutland this year is Rutland Vineyard (www.therutlandvineyard.com) based in Ketton. Tim & Zoe Beaver have planted 13,000 vines on the site, currently they produce wine using grapes sourced elsewhere but very soon you’ll be able to raise a glass to Rutland’s very own vineyard... see last month’s magazine! And finally, you’ll make a monkey out of yourself if you persist in drinking mediocre coffee. Stop, and instead enjoy ethically sourced coffees and unique blends from Two Chimps (01572 774389, www.twochimpscoffee.com), established by Andy Cross and Laura Shead. There’s a subscription service, too, bringing hand-roasted coffee directly to your door. n

Last Year’s Winners:

MULTUM GIN PARVO

Come for the pun, stay for the drink. Multum in Parvo was understandably popular with readers in last year’s awards, perhaps thanks to its great name and Katie Cardew’s bottle artwork, or perhaps because of its fantastic flavours. As well as Rutland Dry Gin, the company produces its strawberry and lavender, Earl Grey and honey and sloe gin drinks, and sells ‘mix and match’ gin sets which are ideal gifts for the forthcoming festive season. n Multum Gin Parvo Call 01780 720217 or see www.multumginparvo.com.

Vote for Your Favourite Restaurants and Rutland & Stamford Businesses...

You’re free to vote for whichever local businesses you choose; they don’t have to be mentioned in this edition. You can also vote online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk. !

Restaurant of the Year 2022: Your overall favourite place to dine in the Rutland & Stamford area.

Café, Bar or Bistro of the Year 2022: Your preferred place to enjoy a lighter meal or coffee.

International Cuisine 2022: A Lincolnshire restaurant providing great international dishes.

‘Restaurant with Rooms’ 2022: A restaurant that also has really special accommodation.

Local Food Producer: A producer of local artisan food e.g.: a butcher, baker or cheesemaker.

Local Drink Producer: This could be a wine or spirit, locally roasted coffee, local tea or soft drink.

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Address:..............................................................................................................................................................

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Cut out this page and send your nominations to Pride Magazines Good Food Awards 2021, Pride Magazines, Boston Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Way, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 7TW. CLOSING DATE 1ST NOVEMBER 2022.