The Alford Arms takes top spot at UK’s first FreeFrom Eating Out Awards

Hertfordshire pub The Alford Arms was the overall winner at the inaugural FreeFrom Eating Out Awards this week, crowned the ‘most allergen-aware’ eatery in the UK.  

The award ceremony, which took place at the FoodMatters Live event at London’s ExCel on 18 November, recognised foodservice operators which serve the best freefrom food. This can include gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and soya-free options.

The awards were launched to raise awareness of the new allergen declaration regulations which will come into force this December. 

Awards director Michelle Berriedale-Johnson said: “The standard of the entries was exceptionally high while the enthusiasm and commitment of the chefs and owners was really heart-warming.

“We are very excited about the possibilities offered to the food service industry by the freefrom movement and expect freefrom food service to grow at an even faster rate than the 15 per cent year-on-year that it has achieved in the retail market.”

The complete list of awards for the hospitality sector is as follows:

  • Overall Winner

The Alford Arms, Frithsden 

  • Runners Up

Tea 42 (Manchester)

Pizza Express

HC3S (Hampshire County Council Catering Services)

  • B&Bs and Guest Houses Winner

Ravenstone Manor (Cumbria)

  • B&Bs and Guest Houses Highly Commended

The Belfry at Yarcombe (Devon)

  • B&Bs and Guest Houses Commended

Stonecroft, Edale (Peak District)

  • Individual Cafes, Tearooms and Takeaways Winner

Tea 42 (Manchester)

  • Individual Cafes, Tearooms and Takeaways Highly Commended

Love in a Cup (Frome, Somerset)

  • Individual Cafes, Tearooms and Takeaways Commended

Cafe Society (Huddersfield)

Cookies and Scream (London)

The Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum (Perthshire, Scotland)

Word of Mouth Cafe (Evesham)

  • Coffee House Chains Winner

Costa Coffee

  • Pub Restaurants Winner

The Alford Arms (Frithsden, Hertfordshire)

  • Pub Restaurants Highly Commended

The Peacock (Warwickshire)

  • Pub Restaurants Commended

Tea 42 (Manchester)

  • Individual Restaurants Winner

Oscar & Bentley's (Canterbury)

  • Individual Restaurants Highly Commended

2 Oxford Place (Leeds)

  • Individual Restaurants Commended

Filmore and Union (Wetherby)

Marine Hotel, Ballycastle (Northern Ireland)

  • Restaurant Chains Winner

Pizza Express

  • Restaurant Chains Commended

ASK Italian

  • Food manufactured for Food Service Winner

Big Oz Organics gluten free cereal selection pack

  • Food manufactured for Food Service Highly Commended

Delicious Alchemy Ginger Cake

Glamour Puds Bakewell Tart

Greens Beers India Pale Ale (beer)

Westerham Brewery William Wilberforce Freedom Ale (beer)

  • Food manufactured for Food Service Commended

BFree Multiseed bagels

Ceria gluten free batter mix

Daura Damm (beer)

Ten Acre Crisp The Day Sweet And Sour Became Friends