Edinburgh Restaurant Awards: On course for big winners
Across 14 categories, the awards will recognise the incredible achievements of the Capital’s thriving food and drink scene in unprecedented times.
From Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurants to cosy cafes and street food hotspots, there are plenty of rich culinary delights to celebrate.
The event, sponsored by point-of-sale specialists Zettle, will be hosted by Forth One star Arlene Stuart at Brewhemia in Market Street on Monday, 6 June, and tickets are on sale now.
The categories are Edinburgh Chef of the Year, sponsored by Chef Works, Best Fine Dining Experience, sponsored by Edinburgh School of Food & Wine, Best Newcomer, Best Cafe/Deli, Best Gastro Pub & Brewery, Best Family Friendly, Best Customer Service, Best Seafood and Edinburgh Restaurant of the Year.
In addition, new categories for this year are the Sustainability Award, sponsored by Everyone’s Edinburgh, Best World Food Restaurant, Best Speciality, Best Use of Outdoor Space, and Best Takeaway Offering, sponsored by Mealzo.
Nominations have now closed and the nine-strong judging panel – featuring chef Gary Maclean, broadcaster Stephen Jardine, and food and drink critic Gaby Soutar – has cast its verdict.
The finalists will be announced in a special eight-page supplement, free with Edinburgh Evening News on Friday, 27 May.
The most recent awards, held in 2019, included Fhior, which won the top prize as Edinburgh Restaurant of the Year.
The same year saw chef Paul Kitching’s 21212 on Royal Terrace win Best Fine Dining Experience.
Edinburgh Chef of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards, went to Paul Wedgwood of the eponymous restaurant on the Canongate.
The Best Newcomer award is always a hard one to judge and is a popular category among readers.
In 2019, it was scooped by The Little Chartroom, on Bonnington Road, operated by the BBC’s Great British Menu finalist Roberta HallMcCarron and her husband, Sean McCarron.
Tickets for this year’s event cost £70+VAT and are available to buy at www.edinburghrestaurantawards.co.uk