Scottish Restaurant Awards Plates Up Top Food Gongs

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, March 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) After weeks of anticipation, thousands of public votes and many hours of judging discussions, 5pm.co.uk has announced the winners of the fifth Scottish Restaurant Awards. The winners were unveiled last night (Monday 27th February), at a spectacular ceremony hosted by Tam Cowan at the Glasgow Science Centre.

Jointly sponsored by 5pm.co.uk and Business Insider, the awards saw the crème de la crème of the Scottish restaurant industry come together to battle it out for the coveted prizes in the 14 award categories. Winners were spread across the length and breadth of the country with the honours going to new ventures as well as established names and businesses.

In scooping both Scottish Restaurant of the Year and the Most Innovative Restaurant award, Edinburgh's Castle Terrace more than fulfilled the promise shown when they won the Newcomer of the Year award in 2011. The double win at last night's Scottish Restaurant Awards top a triumphant year for chef patron Dominic Jack and the judges think he is poised to achieve a lot more.

For the second year in a row, Cucina at Hotel Missoni has won Best Italian. Scotland has many popular restaurants offering Anglo-Italian pasta and pizza. At Cucina, head chef Mattia Camorani offers the real deal: fresh, seasonal ingredients cooked simply but with an Italian flair that is as bold as Cucina's decor.

Jonathan Trew, food writer and one of the Award's judges commented on the winner of Best Indian Restaurant, Mithas: "The days of flock wallpaper and the post pub curry have been over for a long time but Mithas is trying to take Indian food in Scotland to a new level altogether. By providing high end Indian food, Mithas wants nothing less than to redefine what people expect of an Indian meal in the UK. Also, this is the first time that there hasn't been a Glaswegian Indian restaurant among the finalists. Glasgow undoubtedly has Scotland's most vibrant Indian restaurant scene but could Edinburgh be poised to steal the crown?"

On the winner of Chef of the Year Jeff Bland, Trew adds: "From Perthshire girolles to Mull scallops, Scottish produce is at the heart of Jeff's menus and he's travelled the world telling other people just how good the food we produce in this country is. As well as being an ambassador for Scottish produce, Jeff has done a huge amount in terms of training, teaching and mentoring other chefs who have passed through his kitchens and then gone on to great things. He is a deserved winner.'

Charles Shaw of event sponsors 5pm.co.uk commented: "This year, the awards featured a new category: Best Takeaway Restaurant and this was judged by the same standards as the other restaurant categories. As in the rest of the restaurant business, there is a huge variety of different cuisines on offer in the takeaway sector. However, this year, the good, old traditional chippie won out with the Wee Hurrie in Troon taking the prize. It truly is a king among chippies."

2012 Winners In Full

Best Italian Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Cucina at Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh
Runner Up: Italian Caffe, Glasgow
Runner Up: Osteria, North Berwick

Best Indian Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Mithas, Edinburgh
Runner Up: Mother India, Edinburgh
Runner Up: Punjabi Tadka, East Kilbride

Best Oriental Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Opium, Glasgow
Runner Up: Nahm-Jim, Fife
Runner Up: Yorokobi by CJ, Aberdeen

Best Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Cruize, Auchrannie Resort, Isle of Arran
Runner Up: Di Maggios, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow
Runner Up: Room, Largs

Best Chef of the Year
Winner: Jeff Bland

Most Innovative Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
Runner Up: Restaurant Mark Greenaway, Edinburgh

Best Pub Grub of the Year
Winner: Cock & Bull, Aberdeen
Runner Up: The Sun Inn, Edinburgh
Runner Up: Caley Sample Rooms, Edinburgh
Runner Up: The Fox & Hounds, Houston

Best Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Chez Roux - Greywalls, Gullane
Runner Up: The Albannach, Lochinver
Runner Up: Airds Hotel, Argyll

Best Customer Service of the Year
Winner: The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant, Edinburgh
Runner Up: 29 - The Grill at the Square, Glasgow
Runner Up: EH15, Edinburgh

Best Rural Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Gordon's Restaurant, Angus
Runner Up: Braidwoods, Dalry
Runner Up: The Whitehouse, Argyll

Best Takeaway Restaurant of the Year
Winner: The Wee Hurrie, Troon
Runner Up: Zen Kitchen, Edinburgh
Runner Up: Mhor Fish, Perthshire
Runner Up: Dining In, Mother India Bearsden

Best Seafood Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Cafe Fish, Edinburgh
Runner Up: Crabshakk, Glasgow
Runner Up: Mhor Fish, Perthshire

Newcomer of the Year
Winner: Kanpai Sushi, Edinburgh
Runner Up: Barolo Grill, Glasgow
Runner Up: The Honours, Edinburgh

Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Castle Terrace - Dominic Jack

5pm.co.uk offers consumers a free online booking site for restaurants and health and beauty salons. In addition, the 5pm Big Deal gives users limited time deals offering at least 50% off a great activity. Last year 5pm Takeaway launched allowing users to order and buy from local takeaways.

The site also offers consumers the opportunity to read reviews, real and honest assessments written only by customers who have dined or used the beauty venues.

5pm.co.uk works in partnership with media operators, consumer brands and a host of other strategic partners throughout the UK.

Contact
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