Shortlist revealed for 2018 Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards
The awards feature three shorlisted categories - Chef to Watch; Restaurateur of the Year, and Chefs’ Chef of the Year - with nominees being voted for by the National Restaurant Awards academy voters.
The annual awards, which are now in their 11th year, celebrates the top 100 restaurants in the UK as voted for by the UK’s top chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, critics and other food experts and gastronomes, with the coveted Estrella Damm National Restaurant of the Year award being handed out on the night.
The Chef of the Year category recognises a chef that has had an impact in the past 12 months while the Restaurateur of the Year category recognises individuals or teams who have had a significant impact in the UK restaurant sector in the past year and look to continue to do so in the coming 12 months.
The Chef to Watch category singles out an individual that is set to have a stellar 12 months (and more) ahead of them, regardless of age or experience.
Awards for Best Cocktail List, Wine List of the Year, The Service Award, Lifetime Achievement, Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, Gastropub of the Year, and the Best Restaurants in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will also be presented on the night.
In addition, the One to Watch award will be presented, recognising a newly-opened restaurant that is set to be a huge hit over the coming 12 months.
The OpenTable Fit For Foodies award, based on the opinions of more than 400,000 reviews submitted by OpenTable diners at more than 4,000 restaurants, will also be presented on the night, as will the Highest New Entry award, sponsored by Schweppes.
To book your ticket for the event, email hester.doran@wrbm.com.
The Shorlisted Categories
Chef of Year
Nieves Barragán Mohacho, Sabor
Gareth Ward, Ynyshir
Andrew Wong, A Wong
Tom Kerridge, The Hand & Flowers, The Coach, The Butcher’s Tap
Simon Rogan, Roganic, L’Enclume
Gary Usher – Wreckfish, Sticky Walnut, Hispi, Burnt Truffle
Restaurateur of the Year
Neil Rankin and Sam Lee, Temper
Jyotin, Sunaina and Karam Sethi, JKS Restaurants
Zoe and Layo Paskin, The Palomar, The Barbary, The Blue Posts
Will Lander and Daniel Morgenthau, Woodhead Restaurant Group (The Quality Chop House, Clipstone, Portland)
Harneet and Devina Baweja, Gunpowder, Madame D, Gul & Sepoy
Brett Redman, Jidori, Neptune
Chef to Watch
Selin Kiazim, Oklava, Kyseri
Tomos Parry, Brat
Alex Bond, Alchemilla
Tom Brown, Cornerstone
Luke Selby, Hide
Martin Carabott, Hide
Pip Lacey, Hicce
Dan Smith, The Fordwich Arms
Endo Kazutoshi, Endo at Rotunda
Duncan Ray, The Little Fish Market
Full awards list
The Estrella Damm National Restaurant of the Year
The Service Award, sponsored by Liberty Wines and Champagne Devaux
Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by Lavazza
Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Aubrey Allen
Gastropub of the Year, sponsored by Estrella Damm
The Best Restaurant in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, sponsored by Hildon
OpenTable Fit For Foodies award
Restaurateur of the Year
Chefs’ Chef of the Year, sponsored by RitterFresh
Chef to Watch, sponsored by Woods Foodservice
Cocktail List of the Year, sponsored by Seedlip
Wine List of the Year
One to Watch, sponsored by Schweppes
www.nationalrestaurantawards.co.uk
