Restaurant names 2018 Readers' Choice Awards winners

Restaurant magazine has announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which throw a spotlight on the hospitality sector’s best products, suppliers, brands and equipment.

Hundreds of professional chefs from across the restaurant and pub sectors voted in the annual awards, which are now in their eighth year. The awards recognise 23 categories, ranging from Best Fish Supplier and Best Food Service Company to Best Combi-Oven Brand and Best Gadget. 

The awards were launched in 2009 as the Chefs’ Choice Award but were re-branded as the Readers’ Choice Awards last year.

● Best Meat Supplier

Winner: Aubrey Allen

Highly commended: Booker, Select Meats

● Best Fish Supplier

Winner: M&J Seafood

Highly commended: Flying Fish, Direct Seafood

● Best Fruit & Veg Supplier

Winner: Reynolds

Highly commended: Wellocks, Natoora

● Best Drinks Supplier

Winner: Matthew Clark

Highly commended: Bibendum, Amathus

● Best Foodservice Company

Winner: Woods

Highly commended: Bidfood, Brakes

● Best Equipment Distributor

Winner: Nisbets

Highly commended: CCS, Goodfellow & Goodfellow

● Best Combi-Oven Brand

Winner: Rational

Highly commended: UNOX, Blue Seal

● Best Knife Brand

Winner: Global

Highly commended: Wüsthof, Victorinox

● Best Range Brand

Winner: Falcon

Highly commended: Charvet, Blue seal

● Best Pan Brand

Winner: Vogue

Highly commended: Staub, Bourgeat

● Best Tableware Brand

Winner: Churchill

Highly commended: Steelite, Olympia

● Best Gadget

Winner: Robot Coupe

Highly commended: Thermomix, Pacojet

● Best Equipment Brand

Winner: Rational

Highly commended: Hobart, Buffalo

● Best Glassware Brand

Winner: Riedel

Highly commended: Olympia, Artis

● Best EPoS Brand

Winner: Zonal

Highly commended: Micros/Oracle, PointOne

● Best Stock Brand

Winner: Chef

Highly commended: Knorr, Essential Cuisine

● Best Chocolate Brand

Winner: Valrhona

Highly commended: Barry Callebaut, Green & Blacks

● Best Frozen Brand

Winner: McCain

Highly commended: Booker, Lamb Weston

● Best Bakery Brand

Winner: Bridor

Highly commended: Deli France, Paul Rhodes

● Best Soft Drink Brand

Winner: Coca-Cola

Highly commended: Fentimans, Fever-Tree

● Best Coffee Brand

Winner: Nespresso

Highly commended: Lavazza, Illy

● Best Bottled Water Brand

Winner: Hildon

Highly commended: San Pellegrino, Highland Spring

● Best Beer Brand

Winner: Peroni

Highly commended: Heineken, BrewDog

This is a web version of an article that first appeared in the January issue of Restaurant magazine, the leading title for the UK's restaurant industry. For more features, comment, interviews and in-depth analysis of the restaurant sector subscribe to Restaurant magazine here.