Businesses celebrate being the best in Hambleton

4:15pm Thursday 20th November 2008

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NINE businesses are celebrating after being presented with coveted Flavours of Hambleton Awards.

The district’s best food producers were recognised during a ceremony at Thirsk Racecourse hosted by ITV Tyne Tees Television presenter, Pam Royle.

And a special award for Outstanding Achievement went to Phil Lancaster, owner of Tollerton Stores and partner in Dooleys of Easingwold, who spent the last decade building up and promoting the food industry.

This year the competition attracted more nominations than ever. It was launched by Hambleton District Council (HDC) in 2004 to forge closer links between tourism and food and drink producers.

Tourism brings in £122m a year to Hambleton and £21m of that is from the food and drink industry.

More than 2,000 nominations were received for 100 businesses - last year the same number of businesses received 1,700 nominations. This year there were 40 finalists, up 13 on 2007.

Miss Royle said: "Times are hard and everyone is having to work harder to find the customers. Everyone is raising their game and people are becoming more and more careful about how they spend their cash. But judging from the entries in these awards there is a great choice of quality in this district."

Breakfast of the Year went to Carole Johnston’s business, The Gavel Café, Thirsk. It was praised by judges for being "the whole package". The food is prepared by chef Matthew Johnson, a previous winner.

Food Producer of the Year went to Alison Dodd and Trevor Bosomworth of Herbs Unlimited, Sandhutton. The business supplies fresh cut herbs and baby salads and was chosen for its "fantastic range of products and a level of freshness that simply isn’t available in the mainstream".

Outside Caterer of the Year went to Dexters Caterers, Stokesley, run by former chef to the stars, Suzie Dexter.

Jane De Cogan owner of Kilburn Village Stores won Village Shop of the Year. Judges said she had "gone out of her way to cater for her customers as well as serving high quality products."

Pub Food of the Year, a judges favourite, went to The New Inn at Tholthorpe. Owners Cameron and Dionne Reid also won the Newcomer of the Year Award. Judges said the pub "provides quality food from an exciting menu and sources its products locally."

Three businesses retain their titles for a second year: Easingwold’s Fine Foods of Yorkshire, run by Mark and Lucy Taylor, was named Specialist Food Retailer of the Year and Chapters Restaurant, of Stokesley, remains Best Restaurant Tea Hee! of Easingwold is still Tearoom of the Year and was praised for its "great food, great atmosphere and support of local businesses."