Coventry and Warwickshire 2023 Winnners
Cafe/Coffee Shop:
Baxter Baristas
The judges loved the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Coventry City center coffee shop, supported by great coffee and food as well as being so community focussed supporting local charities and hosting events.
Farm Shop of the Year:
Farmers Fayre
‘Everything you wish a Farm Shop to be!’ … from local, fresh produce and meets served by knowledgeable staff to their welcoming cafe and restaurant serving delicious food made on site with their Sunday Roast a definite winner!
Malt Kiln Farm Shop (Highly Commended)
Chef of the Year:
Adam Cherrington
The judges loved the skill shown by Adam in preparing his dish of rabbit three ways in the allocated time and the work ethic and food preparation skills he showed in the 'cook off' challenge as well as his enthusiasm for his craft.
Katie Gaskin -The Green Dragon (Highly Commended)
Culinary Excellence Award:
(Restaurant of the Year)
Cafe Vin Cinq - Rugby
The judges loved Chef Andrews' delicious food supported by attentive and knowledgeable staff. This French styled restaurant in Rugby is well deserving of its popularity and local support.
Artisan Food Producer:
For the Love of Pies
The judges loved the wide range of flavours in their pies all topped with an amazing pastry. They loved that the meats used were free range and locally sourced as well as offering a full range of pies for those with special dietary requirements.
Food or Community Hero Award:
The Pod Cafe
The judges were impressed by this Coventry City Council initiative to support the local residents' wellbeing and mental health through this safe space and their 'soil to table' ethos around the food they provide with the help of Food Union and their allotment.
Event Caterer of the Year:
Culinary Bites with Sophie
The judges were impressed with the workload that Sophie takes on with her Event catering from small private dinner
parties to feeding hundreds over many days as well as loving the demonstration kitchens at Food festivals and events.
Street Food Trader of the Year:
Tapas Zampa
Described as 'Authentic Spain on a plate' - judges loved the diverse range of delicious Spanish food served from the Tapas Zampa food truck
Libertine Burger (Highly Commended)
Vegan Taste Award:
The Pod Cafe
The judges loved the full experience at The Pod Cafe with their amazing vegan menu on offer covering a range of tastes and flavours while being surrounded by the warm and welcoming environment and friendly staff.
Taste of Coventry:
Metropolis Restaurant
The public voted overwhelmingly for Metropolis Restaurant as their definite favourite for the Taste of Coventry accolade sponsored by Visit Coventry.
The Fosse Way Foodie:
Gilks' Garage Cafe
The judges loved this family business based in Kineton where they have 'recycled' the old family garage business into a modern welcoming roadside cafe with a difference offering fabulous food and memorable experiences to their car loving clientele.
The Foodie Award:
Aubrey Allen
Celebrating their 90th year, the judges felt this would be that golden opportunity to celebrate and recognise the decades of service this business and the Allen family have given to the restaurant trade providing the highest quality meats to the finest restaurants in the country as well as the Royal palace to their community focussed deli shop and butchery in Leamington Spa.
Locally Sourced Award:
Culinary Bites with Sophie
The judges were impressed by how Sophie supports local farmers and producers and wholesalers, including the Coventry Market local butchers,and is always looking for more local suppliers to showcase in her menus
Artisan Drink Producer:
Rugby Distillers
The judges loved the range of flavours, fantastic branding and the exploitation of the 'Locale' by this innovative small batch distiller.
Triumph Brewery (Highly Commended)
Pub/Bar of the Year:
The Half Moon, Wolston
The judges described the Half Moon as a 'proper village pub with high standards, excellent service and 'beer knowledgeable' staff'!
The Mount Pub, Henley (Highly Commended)