The region’s top restaurants have been included in the UK’s top 100 restaurants at the National Restaurant Awards.
The list – which is topped by The Ritz in London – includes Restaurant Pine (26), Solstice (67) and Hjem (73).
The awards ceremony was held at The Magazine in London’s Docklands. Launched in 2007, the National Restaurant Awards celebrate the brilliance and vibrancy of the UK’s dining scene and reward the very best chefs, front-of-house staff, and restaurants the country has to offer – from Michelin-starred dining rooms to casual neighbourhood restaurants and gastropubs.
The list of the 100 best restaurants in the UK is voted for by 200 industry experts from across the UK, including chefs, restaurateurs, critics and food writers. The UK is split into 11 regions, with judges voting for the top seven restaurants they have dined at in the last 12 months, in order of preference, as well as for 16 special award categories – including Chef of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Opening of the Year, and Gastropub of the Year.
Pine’s chef-owner Cal Byerley and front-of-house manager and co-owner Sian Byerley said: “Being recognised alongside our peers is always really special, especially knowing that some of the UK’s most discerning foodies have been involved in the judging, which in itself is pretty daunting. It goes without saying we’re proud of everything the team achieves together. Without everyone’s efforts, it just doesn’t work. Restaurants are unique in that sense; the team has to pull together and work hard for everything to gel, and when that happens, it’s pretty special. With that in mind, I’d like to say thank you to all our suppliers, customers and the entire team for their continued support and dedication.”
The Ritz – which is led by South Shields born John Williams – was named National Restaurant of the Year, while Mark Birchall or Restaurant Moor Hall was named Chef of the Year, and Spring’s Skye Gyngell received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
