A Newcastle restaurant whose head chef has worked alongside Jamie Oliver has been named as one of the best in the UK at the National Restaurant Awards.
Horticulture on Market Lane has overcome the challenges of opening during the pandemic to be voted by diners as one of the top 10 restaurants in the UK in the 'Food Lovers’ category of the prestigious awards.
The venue owned by Mike Hesketh will now represent the city on Monday night (June 13) at the National Restaurant Awards ‘Top 100 Restaurant Awards’ ceremony, held at the Hurlingham Club, London.
READ MORE: Horticulture to open new bar in Newcastle city centre - and this is how it will look inside
The awards have been the ultimate barometer of success for the finest eateries across the UK, with many multiple Michelin star venues competing for the top spot on the list. Famous restaurants such as L’enclume and The Ritz feature in the 2021 awards list alongside Newcastle's House Of Tides.
Owner Mike said he was delighted the restaurant had been nominated for an award as he praised his staff.
“It’s been such a tough few years to be in the hospitality trade," he said.
"We have all had to dig deep, to not only survive but maintain and to excel. Our food has always been at the forefront of our operation.
"We’ve always wanted to bring unique, flavoursome plates of fresh, seasonal and locally sourced food using refined methods but in a more relaxed, social way. So to be recognized at this level and at this stage on our journey is amazing!”
Horticulture's Geordie head chef Peter Breckon has worked with the best in the business including Heston Blumenthal, Mark Hix, and Jamie Oliver. The venue specialises in small plates with intense flavours and chef Peter has put together a menu made up of 90% of dishes wich are naturally gluten-free.
Diners can expect to find that more than half half the dinner menu is vegetable-based and almost all of the food is organic and locally supplied.
Mike continued: "To say that I’m hugely proud of all our team is an understatement and will be extremely honoured to soon be sat in a room with the likes of Mark Hix, Tom Kerridge and fellow smoggy Michael ‘Ohare.'"
Alongside Horticulture on the ‘Food Lovers Award’ shortlist is Northumberland eatery ‘Eleven’. The award ceremony will announce who will win the ‘Food Lovers Award’ and who features on the list of the UK’s best restaurants for 2022.
And Horticulture's award nomination comes as the venue gets set to open a second bar and restaurant in the former Don Vito's premises on Newcastle's Pilgrim Street. Work is currently underway to transform it into a trendy cocktail lounge and restaurant with the aim of opening to customers in early July.
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