It was a big night for the Welsh hospitality industry as last night restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels came together to celebrate the best of Wales at The Food Awards 2023.
The annual event took place at the Mercure Hotel in Cardiff on Monday, June 26, and each year recognises "the hard work and efforts of those committed to always providing the country with the freshest of products and amazing delights".
With over 20 categories from chef of the year to best street food and restaurant of the year, a spokesperson for the event said: “We received an overwhelming response from the public, who nominated some fantastic establishments across the region.
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“These awards are a testament to the passion and dedication of the country’s food industry, and the hard work of those who provide exceptional culinary experiences to their customers. The winners should be proud of their achievement, as they represent the very best of the Welsh food scene, and are a true reflection of the quality and diversity of the industry.
“Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists, who have demonstrated excellence in their respective categories.”
Winners include the likes Giardini di Sorrento in Cardiff for best Italian establishment, while best world cuisine went to Holywell's Up A Yard Jamaican Cuisine, Little Steak Hut for best street food and Best fish and chips went to Vallas Fish & Chip Shop.
Posting about its win, the Cardiff based Italian restaurant wrote: "WE ONLY WENT AND WON IT!! Best Italian Establishment 2023. A huge thank you to all our customers over the last 6 years who have supported us and voted for us to win The Food Awards Wales Best Italian Establishment 2023 tonight.
"I am certain plenty more photos of the fabulous evening will follow but for now we are celebrating with a cold Italian beer and a glass of bubbly or two."
Little Steak Hut, which has won best street food in Wales for the second year in a row, also wrote on Instagram: "We did it, what an amazing feeling in front of 400 of the best establishments across Wales. Number one in Wales again. Video to follow. Dedicated to my Wife"
See below for all the winners from this year's awards:
The winners of The Food Awards Wales 2023 are:
- Best Mexican Establishment: Las Iguanas (Newport)
- Best Oriental Establishment: Lotus Restaurant & Take-Away (Carmarthen)
- Best Indian Establishment: Royal Balti (Barry)
- Best Asian Food Establishment: Nora’s Kitchen (Tenby)
- Best Italian Establishment: Giardini di Sorrento (Cardiff)
- Best World Cuisine: Up A Yard Jamaican Cuisine (Holywell)
- Best Vegetarian Establishment: Tŷ Medi (Machynlleth)
- Best Seafood Establishment: Rib and Oyster (Kilgetty)
- Best Mediterranean Establishment: Yamas Restaurant Cardiff (Cardiff)
- Caterer of the Year: Sugarloaf Catering (Blaenavon)
- Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Cosy Corner Lounge (Porthcawl)
- Traditional Welsh Restaurant of the Year: The Steak and Stamp (Pencoed Bridgend)
- Best Street Food: Little Steak Hut (Newport)
- Best Street Food of Cardiff: Pregos Street Food (Cardiff)
- Welsh Produce of the Year: Lilos Handmade (Pencoed)
- Dessert Outlet of the Year: Basil & Rusty’s Ice Cream Parlour (Machen)
- Retail Bakery of the Year: The Cookes Bake (Cwmbran)
- Family Restaurant of the Year: Brecon Tap (Brecon)
- Outstanding Restaurant Supplier of the Year: Micro Acres Wales (Pontypridd)
- Cookery School of the Year: Scholars Restaurant (Ystrad Mynach)
- Takeaway of the Year: Tiffin Rasoi (Barry)
- Best Fish N’ Chips Establishment: Vallas Fish & Chip Shop (Bangor)
- Best Pizza Establishment: Tafell A Tân (Cardigan)
- Best Burger Restaurant: Meg’s Grill and Chill (Bridgend)
- Best Hotel Restaurant: Begelly Arms Hotel (Pembrokeshire)
- Outstanding Restaurant of the Year: JT Abergwaun Hotel (Fishguard)
- Best of Cardiff: Maasi’s
- Chef of the Year: Lokky’s Restaurant (Saundersfoot)
- Café / Bistro of the Year North: Green Island Bistro (Rhuddlan)
- Café / Bistro of the Year Mid Wales: Riverside Coffee Shop (Llanidloes)
- Café / Bistro of the Year South West: Morgan’s Bistro (Bridgend)
- Café / Bistro of the Year South East: Toasty Café (Pontypridd)
- Café / Bistro of the Year Cardiff: The Brook Bistro
- Café / Bistro of the Year Overall Winner: Green Island Bistro (Rhuddlan)
- Gastro Pub of the Year North: The White Lion Inn (Llanelian)
- Gastro Pub of the Year Mid Wales: The Pentre Arms (Llangrannog)
- Gastro Pub of the Year South West: The Boars Head (Narberth)
- Gastro Pub of the Year South East: The Rock Inn Bar & Grill (Porthcawl)
- Gastro Pub of the Year Overall Winner: The Pentre Arms (Llangrannog)
- Restaurant of the Year North: Sheeps and Leeks (Caernarfon)
- Restaurant of the Year Mid Wales: Waggon and Horses (Newtown)
- Restaurant of the Year South West: Lotus Restaurant & Take-Away (Carmarthen)
- Restaurant of the Year South East: Pickford’s Galley & Bar with Rooms (Penarth)
- Restaurant of the Year Overall Winner: Pickford’s Galley & Bar with Rooms (Penarth)
