The stars of Scotland’s restaurant scene have battled it out to take home a culinary Oscar from the third annual Scottish Restaurant Awards in association with the country’s top online reservation and review site 5pm.co.uk.
Hosted by food critic & broadcaster Tam Cowan at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange, the Scottish Restaurant Awards were set up to celebrate the outstanding creativity, customer service and top quality dining on offer throughout Scotland.
The top accolade of Restaurant Of The Year went to The Peat Inn (Fife), while its chef/proprietor, Geoffrey Smeddle was handed the hotly contested Chef Of The Year crown.
The Best Fine Dining title was given to Edinburgh restaurant Martin Wishart, while the Best Pub Grub award was won by The King’s Wark. Both venues are based at The Shore area of Leith proving that it has an excellent chance of picking up the title of Google’s Top UK Foodie Street this year.
The gong for Best Newcomer went to Rocpool Reserve Hotel (Inverness) and the coveted Best Customer Service tribute was won by Hotel Du Vin (Glasgow).
But it wasn’t just restaurants in the two biggest cities that took home prizes. The Best Rural Restaurant honour was bestowed upon Cail Bruich. Perthshire was represented by Ardeonaig Hotel & Restaurant, the winner of Best Hotel Restaurant, and Opus One was named Best Urban Restaurant.
Initial nominations for restaurants were made by diners, restaurateurs and suppliers online, with the shortlist and eventual winners being chosen by a prestigious judging panel. The panel comprised: Sunday Mail Columnist, Alison Craig; Beverly Payne, director of The Collection Ltd; Gordon Muir, Head of Marketing at Matthew Algie; Debbie Nelson from Health at Work; Neil Thomson founder member of the Federation of Chefs; Ronnie Somerville MD of 5pm.co.uk; Gio Benedetti from Wallace Cameron Ltd; Fran James from the Edinburgh Restaurateurs Association; Charles Shaw chairman of 5pm.co.uk; David Maguire chief exec of the Glasgow Restaurateurs Association; Steven Doherty of The Cook School Scotland; Charlie Lockley head chef at The Boath House Hotel; Jonathan Trew Travel & Food Writer.
Charles Shaw, Chairman of 5pm.co.uk said: “The culinary standard in Scotland gets better and better every year. As the country’s favourite online reservation and review site, 5pm.co.uk is delighted to support the recognition of these fantastic chefs and restaurateurs.”
5pm.co.uk is co-sponsor of the The Scottish Restaurant Awards with Business 7.
The full list of finalists is available from www.scottishrestaurantawards.co.uk.
