Chapters win Restaurant of The Year at the Flavours of Hambleton Awards 2007
Food and drink is a key player in the tourism industry - it is well known that having good places to stay, eat and drink leads to more visitors.Last year tourism brought a massive £121.45 million into Hambleton - with the food and drink industry accounting for £21.29 million of it. And that segment rises year on year.But it is not all about tourists - it is also important that the district provides top class facilities for our residents. They want good places to eat and drink too - and there is a real hunger for menus offering local dishes.That's why in 2004 Hambleton District Council set out to strengthen its links with the food and drink sectors and encourage them to use local produce and develop a distinctive local cuisine.To celebrate this, the Flavours of Hambleton awards were established - to recognise excellence throughout this district of North Yorkshire.Every year the number of nominations has also grown -there were almost 2000 this year for 100 businesses. As always that gave the judges a very hard task - mystery shopping each venue was a pleasure for them, but led to some soul searching when it came to choosing the winners!Breakfast of the Year - Sponsored by the BBC Radio York.Lovesome Hill Farmhouse at Northallerton - run by Mary and John PearsonThis 165 acre working farm is also a thriving bed and breakfast business - visitors can stay in the farmhouse, in the granary, a cottage or the 'bunkhouse' for serious walkers! Mary specialises in good home cooking and her wholesome breakfasts will see those walkers off for a day in the Dales. Home made jam, locally produced honey and sausages from home reared stock are regular features. And there are healthier options on offer if you don't fancy bacon and eggs. The judges said their visit to Lovesome Hill could not be faulted - a real farmhouse; friendly hosts; excellent quality and home made local produce. And the freshly cooked breakfast was simply described as beautiful!Food Producer of the Year - sponsored by 'deliciouslyorkshire'Sutton Beef and Lamb of Sutton on the Forest - run by Andrew and Janet StottSituated on the picturesque Sutton Park estate traditional pedigree Aberdeen angus, dexters and Hampshire down sheep are raised for meat. All stock is suckled naturally, calves are weaned at eight months and then slowly reared to make for good quality meat. The farm also produces its own winter fodder to maintain the high standards it strives for. The finished products are sold direct to the customer and via the annual Huby and Sutton Show although there are plans to sell through a local retailer in the future.The judges said the standard and quality of the producers who entered this category was second to none but Sutton Beef and Lamb was a business whose supporting customer letters underlined the quality of their product and the service they provide.Pub Food of the Year sponsored by Northern Select FoodsThe Crosby at Thornton le Beans - run by Chris and Moira RobsonAfter 22 years in the motor trade Chris decided he wanted a change so last year he and Moira took their first foray into the pub business. The pub specialises in good home cooked food - both pub grub and a la carte menus. Chef Malcolm Talbot lists rack of lamb, chicken stuffed with stilton and wrapped with bacon and Sunday roasts as his specialities. And he reputedly does the best Yorkshire puddings in the district - they are so big they struggle to come out of the oven!The judges selected the Crosby because of the good menu choice, friendly staff, excellent service and value for money and importantly the high standard of foodOutside Caterer of the Year - sponsored by Sugar and Spice Food Profiling and Marketing Specialists.FIGS of East Harlsey is run by Nicola Calder.Nicola has been running her small business from her home kitchen for over four years. She is passionate about cooking making sure everyone gets just what they want when she caters for their event - however large or small. Sourcing local products and trying out new suppliers is a big part of the job. And she has had some fierce critics in her time because before this she worked in the music industry cooking for people like - Michael Jackson, Mel C, Paul McCartney and Elizabeth Taylor.This was another hard call for the judges but it went to the business that has gone from strength to strength in the five years it has been in operation with Weddings,Balls and Family and Corporate Celebrations now forming the backbone of the business. During that time Nicola has tried to ensure that she uses local produce and local suppliers in her menus -using the Deliciously Yorkshire Guide to Food and Drink to source the very best food and ingredients in the County.Tearoom of the Year - sponsored by ITV Tyne Tees Televison.Tea Hee of Easingwold run by Sophie Smith.Opened almost four years ago, this compact café quickly established itself in the market town. Its popularity meant expansion in 2005 - into the shop next door and the garden,