Finalists for The Menu Meals and Drink Awards introduced as companies throughout Tayside and Fife are recognised

The highly-anticipated shortlist for the Menu Awards 2022 has been revealed.

After hours of deliberation, the judges of the The Courier Menu Meals and Drink Awards 2022 have make a decision as to who’s to be featured on the shortlist.

Now in its fifth yr, the intention of the occasion is to rejoice the unimaginable expertise throughout the area and it was clear from this years entries that Courier Nation has that is abundance.

There a complete of 13 classes as a part of the awards, with Tayside and Fife’s foods and drinks trade properly represented throughout all of them.

A complete of 5 judges – Eniola Adeniyi, Julia Bryce, Martha Bryce, Jamie Scott and Brian Stormont – had been in attendance to undergo every entry in high-quality element, with the usual as impeccable as at all times.

The awards ceremony will likely be hosted on the prestigious Previous Course Lodge, St Andrews, on October 6 and won’t solely rejoice the winners however may also showcase 5 scrumptious programs from 5 high cooks within the space.

These cooks embrace:

• Martin Hollis, government chef, The Previous Course Lodge in St Andrews
• Praveen Kumar, chef proprietor at Tabla Indian Restaurant in Perth
•  Derek Johnstone, head chef at 18, the flagship restaurant of the newly refurbished Rusacks Lodge in St Andrews
• Ian Syme the Fairmont St Andrews’ government chef
• Dean Banks, chef/proprietor of Haar Restaurant in St Andrews

Assessing the entries

The judges had the tough resolution of making a shortlist.

Eniola Adeniyi of the Caribbean impressed eatery Gidi Grill in Dundee.

She stated: “I’m glad to have skilled the good thought and planning put into organising and judging such necessary awards.”

Decide Martha Bryce, of Sound Chew PR, described the judging course of as a “nice privilege”.

She added: “At Sound Chew PR, we work with an enormous number of meals, drink and hospitality companies and this yr’s entries to the awards confirmed actual variety throughout this sector.

“The previous few years have been extremely turbulent, so it was heartening to see so many thrilling newcomers, alongside resilient companies which are persevering with to innovate and develop. We’re lucky certainly to have such a vibrant foods and drinks scene on our doorstep!”

Jamie Scott, of The Newport restaurant, the Each day Grind and Newport Bakery, stated: “To be a part of such a prestigious awards judging panel is at all times a pleasure and to wrestle and debate on the finalists and winners a lot, exhibits the extent of entries for this yr, particularly encouraging getting back from the pandemic to see hospitality remains to be in a powerful place.”

Menu editor, Brian Stormont, stated: “The usual of entries this yr was unimaginable.

“It was an honour to be concerned within the judging course of.

“There are such a lot of thrilling issues occurring within the hospitality trade in Tayside and Fife – they need to be recognised on the awards which will likely be a tremendous night time.”

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Under is the complete checklist of finalists and this yr the Neighborhood Champion award winner will likely be picked by readers. Remember to scroll all the way down to the part on the finish to solid your vote.

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The Menu foods and drinks awards finalists

Bar of the yr

• Casa Dundee
• Pillars Bar and Salty Canine Lounge
• The Barrelman
• The Tully by Ballintaggart

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Brewer of the 12 months

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Chef of the 12 months

• Andrew Moss – The North Port Restaurant
• Jordan Clark – The Grandtully Lodge by Ballintaggart
• Tom Tsappis – Killiecrankie Home

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Entrepreneur of the 12 months

• Hayley Wilkes – The WeeCOOK Kitchen
• Lynsey Harley – Fashionable Commonplace Espresso
• Praveen Kumar – Genuine Indian Delicacies

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Craft Distiller of the 12 months

• Highland Moon
• Pilgrim’s Drinks
• The Perth Distillery Co

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Meals/Drink Customer Vacation spot of the 12 months

• Clootie McToot Dumplings
• The Perth Distillery Co
• The Pickled Peacock

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Unbiased Café of the 12 months

• Fisher and Donaldson
• The Tickled Trout Café
• Wee Bear Café
• Zest (St Andrews)

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Newcomer of the 12 months

• Angus Grill and Larder
• Killiecrankie Home
• The Boar’s Head
• The Crusoe

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Producer of the 12 months

• Clootie McToot Dumplings
• Pittenweem Preserves
• The Dundee Gin Firm
• The WeeCOOK Kitchen

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Restaurant of the 12 months

• Eolas Restaurant at Murrayshall Nation Property
• Little’s Restaurant
• The Grandtully Lodge by Ballintaggart
• The North Port Restaurant

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Road Meals Vendor of the 12 months

• Heather Road Meals
• Rico’s Pizza
• The Shack
• Ox and Anchor

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Sustainability Award

• Framedrum Venison
• The Little Inexperienced Larder
• Zest

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Neighborhood Champion

This yr our readers are being requested to choose the winner of the Neighborhood Award. There are three finalists which have been picked by the judges for this class. They embrace: Dundee Bairns, Kitschnbake and The Little Inexperienced Larder.

Dundee Bairns: 

Dundee Bairns was established in 2016 to offer free breakfasts and lunches to youngsters dwelling in probably the most disadvantaged areas of Dundee, significantly throughout the college holidays. Over the past 12 months Dundee Bairns has continued to offer breakfasts and lunches to youngsters who reside in our most disadvantaged communities. Throughout Covid lockdowns they offered over 130,000 free meals and groceries to youngsters and households. Within the six weeks of the 2022 college summer season holidays they may present 37,800 meals or funding for meals to over 100 group tasks within the Metropolis of Dundee.

In 2020 the problem of offering meals and groceries throughout the pandemic was monumental and prompted a excessive degree of fatigue throughout the pool of core volunteers. In 2021 they witnessed a downturn within the variety of group tasks who had been in a position to function, primarily on account of the Covid restrictions. Nonetheless, they persevered and managed to ship simply over 30,000 meals.

Kitschnbake:

Kitschnbake was began in 2010 as a house baking enterprise and have become a café accidentally. However what a contented accident it’s been. Mary-Jane opened the cafe doorways on November 5, 2014 having renovated workplace area in Newport-on-Tay and it’s been a mainstay of the village since. The success of the cafe isn’t simply all the way down to the placement or the merchandise, it’s due to the devoted employees and constant clients. The cafe has offered large help to native charities and organisations all through the years in addition to being a house away from house to many.

When Covid compelled them into lockdown, Mary-Jane delivered over 600 college meals all through the village, ensuring no person went with out Despite the fact that she was excessive threat and must be shielding she labored tirelessly to make sure her employees had been stored secure. Her objective was to offer employees and native folks some solace throughout the roughest of instances. Mary-Jane was there to offer everybody the prospect of some normality no matter what she was confronted with in her private life.

The Little Inexperienced Larder:

The Little Inexperienced Larder is greater than only a store, they’re a part of the group. This yr they’ve fundraised £1,000 and donated it to native charities and group teams together with Royal Dick Vet, RSPB, LCC, native foodbanks, Barnardo’s and Feeling sturdy. In addition they donate a proportion of earnings to native charities and group teams, this yr this has included Feeling Robust, LCC, Samaritans, Rad Apples, Royal Dick Vet and Information Canines Scotland.

Neighborhood outreach over the previous 12 months has included donating £200 of eco merchandise to native fundraisers, donating interval merchandise to native interval poverty teams, organising group occasions and organising a charity ebook sale.

Throughout the Covid 19 pandemic they labored onerous to make sure that folks in the neighborhood nonetheless had entry to meals and important provides. Though they might have closed and furloughed employees they needed to remain open to serve the group and supply a secure place for purchasers to buy. At a employees coaching occasion one of many employees wrote: “This job has saved a part of my life as I used to be homeless and jobless earlier than working right here, it has helped me see higher values in myself and others.”

Have your say beneath and vote for who you suppose must be topped the winner.

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Model Ambassador: The winner has been picked by the judges

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For extra info on The Menu Meals and Drink Awards or to buy tickets to the occasion go to www.dctevents.com/occasion/the-menu-food-and-drink-awards

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For extra on the awards…