A NUMBER of food and drink businesses in Mid Cheshire have been named as finalists in prestigious awards.
After a record-breaking 64,794 votes were cast by the public, the initial voting stage of the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards has concluded.
Organisers have now announced the shortlisted finalists who will compete in the next stage of the competition.
This entails a panel of industry experts conducting mystery shopping visits and dine at each finalist establishment to determine the ultimate winners.
A number of Mid Cheshire businesses have been shortlisted.
The Antrobus Arms in Northwich will have to overcome the Fox and Barrel in Cotebrook if it is to be crowned Best Cheshire Pub.
There will be similarly fierce competition in the Local Produce Shop of the Year category, which features both the Hollies Farm Shop and Tarporley's Rose Farm Shop.
Speaking of Tarporley, Little Tap is up for Best Cheshire Bar while its sister venue, Terrarium, is up for two awards - Local Produce in a Menu and Best Small Restaurant - despite having only opened earlier this month.
Over in Cheshire East, the Nook & Cranny in Alderley Edge is in the running for Best Newcomer.
Representing Knutsford is Groobarbs Wild Farm which is looking to win three awards - Best Large Restaurant, Local Produce in a Menu and the Green Award for Sustainability.
The grand finale of the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards will take place on October 2 at Chester Racecourse.
Taste Cheshire owner Briony Wilson said: “Another year, another astonishing result.
“It’s amazing to see so many people supporting our local food and drink industry and I for one can’t wait to see who wins.”
Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards 2024 finalists
Local Produce Shop of the Year
The Hollies Farm Shop
Rose Farm Shop, Tarporley
Growing @Field 28 farm shop & deli
The Littlest Farm Shop, Malpas
Grange Farm at Lowton
Event Venue of the Year
The Chester Fields
Treasury Private Dining Palmyra Square, Warrington
Chester Cathedral
Chester Racecourse
Cheshire Accommodation Award
The Pheasant at Burwardesley
The Hollies Forest Lodges
The Chester Townhouse
The Parrs Bank Hotel
Best Newcomer
The Nook & Cranny (Alderley Edge)
Axt Haus
Pendergast's Steak House, Warrington
Brewski
Zucca Frodsham
Best Casual Eatery
The Emporium, Westminster Park.
Bean & Cole
Little Yellow Pig
Fork & Flavour
Lyndas Cakes and Tea Room, Saughall
Best Cheshire Bar
Little Tap. Tarporley
Vandal, Warrington
Bar Lounge
Craft & Company
Cheshire's Best MicroPub
Bondies - Ellesmere Port
The Crafty Tavern
Sandstone
Homebrew Tap in Hoole, Chester
Food Producer of the Year
Groobox
Bourne’s Cheshire Cheese
Growing @Field 28
The Weston Biltong Company
SJ Bebbington Butchers Westminster Park
Drink Producer of the Year
Weetwood Ales & Distillery
Three Wrens Gin
Spookton Brewery
Spitting Feathers Brewery
Green Award for Sustainability
Field Kitchen at Groobarbs Wild Farm
Twenty Eight, Chester
Jaunty Goat
Chester Zoo
Family Friendly Venue
Ring O'Bells, Christleton
Hickory's Smokehouse, Chester
The Shady, Tiverton
The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer
Local Produce in a Menu
Groobarbs Field kitchen
Little Tap - Terrarium
Poco, Hoole
Fork and Flavour, Chester
The Chester Fields, Mickle Trafford
Twenty Eight, Chester
Best Cheshire Pub
Swan at Marbury
The Mount Inn
The Leopard Nantwich Tap
Antrobus Arms
The Fox and Barrell, Cotebrook
Best Small Restaurant
Vandal, Warrington
Poco, Hoole
Little Tap - Terrarium
Upstairs at the Grill
The Vines, Carden Park Hotel
Best Large Restaurant
Field Kitchen at Groobarbs Wild Farm
Artezzan Restaurant and Bar
San Lorenzo Italian
The Chef's Table
Pendergast's Steakhouse and Bar
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