No fewer than three local enterprises have won top spots in Somerset Life’s Food and Drink Awards 2013 which were announced last week at The Venue @ Junction 24.
Kaan Atasoy, Head Chef at The Globe, Milverton, won the prestigious ‘Best Chef of the Year’ award. Judges were looking for “the chef most devoted to the cause of serving the best possible food. Technical ability, use of seasonal ingredients, presentation of the food and understanding of how flavours work together. This category pits the finest Michelin-starred chefs against those working the local bistro.”
Kaan, who has been at The Globe for 5 years, said, “I’m really pleased to have won this award. It’s very good news for The Globe.”
The Anchor Inn at Hillfarrance claimed the ‘Best Sunday Roast of the Year’ title. Two chefs, Ben Williams and Dan Stroner, work in tandem there to produce “up to 120 covers every Sunday” as well as catering for diners during the week. Bar supervisor Pete Saines said, “A significant percentage of our trade is on Sunday and it’s good that our carvery and Sunday Specials have received this award. We’re very proud.”
When asked what their secret was for a winning Sunday Roast, Laura Magee, owner of the Anchor Inn said “We offer a proper homemade Sunday Lunch, everything is freshly prepared and cooked on Sunday morning, with local meats and vegetables.” She added, “Our team at the Anchor are all stars, they really care about the food we serve and about looking after our customers – and that’s 7 days a week, not just on Sundays!”
Moonbeams Farm in Wellington claimed the trophy for the ‘Best Food Product of the Year’ for their Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages. Two other local food outlets received ‘Runner up’ awards: Thornes Butcher of Wiveliscombe was second in the ‘Best Butcher of the Year’ category and Rumwell Farm Shop was runner up in the ‘Best Independent Food Shop’ class.
Somerset Life said, “These awards are designed to champion, highlight and offer a showcase to the good and the great from the region’s food and drink industry, including local producers and suppliers, small farming businesses, chefs, restaurants, pubs, hoteliers and people who care about the countryside and the future of our local environment.”
All nominations in the 10 categories of the awards came initially from members of the public. The three businesses from each category with the most reader votes were then put through to the finals before a panel of judges selected a shortlist and the independent judging process began.
Prizes were presented by Emma Britton from BBC Somerset.