A Liverpool restaurant is "proud to be representing the city" as it competes for a national award.
Lu Ban, a Chinese restaurant at Cain's Brewery, is a finalist in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, "one of the biggest awards in tourism". The restaurant specialises in regional Chinese dishes, offering small plates, tasting menus and banquets with authentic recipes and techniques from the Tianjin region.
Executive chef director Dave Critchley learnt the cuisine as the last ever apprentice of renowned Chinese masterchef, Zhengxi Wu. Having already won Restaurant of the Year at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards in March, Lu Ban is now setting its sights on the Taste of England Award.
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The Baltic Triangle restaurant is up against Fischer's Baslow Hall, Derbyshire and Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms, Lancashire. Dave, who recently starred in BBC Two's Great British Menu, said: "To reach the national finals of the VisitEngland tourism awards is just incredible – and certainly not something we expected. It's a credit to everyone involved in the restaurant.
"We're proud to be representing the city and can't wait to find out the result."
Lu Ban is among the 45 finalists across 15 categories who are invited to an awards ceremony due to be held at the Library of Birmingham on Wednesday, June 8. The three national finalists for each category were picked from the 300 entries from local winners of 14 aligned competitions.
VisitEngland announced the finalists after a "rigorous judging process by hand-picked tourism industry experts".
The national tourism agency's director, Andrew Stokes, said: "We are delighted to be bringing VisitEngland's Awards for Excellence to the Library of Birmingham this year and to be meeting in person again as our sector comes together to celebrate the finest in English tourism.
"The awards present a timely opportunity to raise the profile of England's outstanding tourism products, showcase the industry's innovation as well as acknowledge the people and businesses that work so hard to deliver world-class tourism experiences.
"Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism and the awards also recognise the determination and dedication of businesses and destinations across England's tourism industry as they rebuild and continue to champion best practice and customer service excellence."
You can follow Lu Ban on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using @LuBanLiverpool for the latest news, menus, events and offers.
