Antony Worrall Thompson presented the FreeFrom Eating Out Awards silver salver of excellence to Sarah Ormond Smith of the Canterbury restaurant Oscar & Bentleys at a presentation ceremony at Food Matters Live on 17 November.
Oscar & Bentleys, second time winner of the Restaurant category at the FreeFrom Eating Out Awards, was praised as ‘faultless’ by the incognito judges who ate there:
“The restaurant exudes excellence and competence – everything is fully thought through, the staff are friendly and inspire total confidence – and the food is beyond excellent! Nothing is too much trouble and they were not even fazed by the prospect of catering for a guest with nine life threatening allergies!”
Runners up (in alphabetical order) for the accolade were:
1. 2 Oxford Place, Leeds
‘From the very first phone call to the friendly farewell from all the staff as we left – this was the ultimate free from experience.’
2. Eden Food Service (School caterers)
‘As corporate members of the Anaphylaxis Campaign you would expect Eden to provide a comprehensive service for the 60,000 children that they care for – but they really go over and beyond .’
3. The Royal Oak, Marlow
‘Oh yes, please! There is a world of difference between catering for an allergy with a roast with no gravy, and coming up with a delicious dish that meets multiple needs without compromise on flavour. The Royal Oak hits the nail on the head.’
Growing number of exciting ‘freefrom’ meals
Said Awards Director, Michelle Berriedale-Johnson,
‘Great entries to the awards again this year – and from all over the country. As the food service world has started to get its head around food allergy and intolerance, so the number of outlets that can offer really exciting ‘freefrom’ meals has grown. We were literally overwhelmed with fish and chip shops offering excellent gluten-free evenings this year while the range of gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free dishes on offer in cafés and restaurants around the country is positively heart warming!!’
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FreeFrom Eating Out Awards 2015 – Winners
Cafés, coffee shops, tea shops & takeaways – Sponsored by Can I Eat There?
Winner
Labyrinth Holistic Café, Stockton on Tees
‘Labyrinth is a delightful and unexpected oasis of friendly welcome and delicious food prepared to order with care by the knowledgeable and helpful staff. As a 100% gluten free cafe that caters for multiple allergens and dietary preferences in a severely deprived area of the country, it would be a worthy winner in its category. I loved it; I just wish it were my local!’
Highly Commended
Aroma Coffee House & Kitchen, Lyme Regis
The Rainbow Vegetarian Café, Cambridge
ÜGOT, York & Newcastle
Commended
Apple Tree Café and Garden Centre, Yeovil
Fish & Chip shops– sponsored by Glebe Farm
Winner
Wolfies, Hove
‘Wow! Gluten-free fish and chips on offer all day and every day and all cooked in dedicated pans and fryers! And, even better, all the batters are dairy free and egg free!! One of the freshest, best and best value fish and chip meals I have ever eaten!’
Highly, Highly Commended!
Bizzie Lizzie’s, Skipton
Kingfisher Fish & Chips, Plymouth
The Plains, Nottingham
Highly Commended
Brockley’s Rock, South London
Fishcraft, Eton
Off the Hook, Witney
Commended
Olley’s, South London
Oliver’s, Whetstone, North London
Rockfish, Dartmouth
Pub restaurants – Sponsored by Green’s Gluten-free Beers
Winner
The Royal Oak, Marlow
‘Oh yes please! There is a world of difference between catering for an allergy with something like a salad, or roast with no gravy, and coming up with a delicious dish that meets multiple needs without compromise on flavour. The Royal Oak hits the nail on the head.’
Highly Commended
The Horse & Jockey, Curbridge, Hants
The Ship Inn, Downham Market
Commended
The Duke at Bratton, Westbury
Restaurants – Sponsored by Riso Gallo
Joint Winners
Oscar & Bentleys, Canterbury
‘This is a restaurant that understands allergy and gets it right. They deal with it without fuss or alarm…. And the food was totally delicious. I had cassoulet with the lightest, fluffiest gluten-free dumplings and a fruit crumble – excellent.’
2 Oxford Place, Leeds
‘2 Oxford Place was a joy to visit. From the very first phone call to the friendly farewell from all the staff as we left – this was the ultimate free from experience.
And the food was great! A huge range of classics that I rarely get to enjoy, the best gluten-free bread I have ever eaten plus starters and puds to die for – like dairy free creme brulee?! A really exciting menu.’
Pizza Express
For the second year Pizza Express come out at the top of the ‘chain’ pile! So great to be able to go and have a really good pizza with your friends or family without being made to feel in any way awkward.’
Highly Commended
duk-Pond, Preston
La Polenteria, Central London
Niche Food & Drink, Central London
The Rainbow Café and Restaurant, Cambridge
Corporate Hospitality & Venues – sponsored by Nairn’s
Winner
The International Centre, Telford
‘The caterers at the International Centre were superb. There were 6–8 main course dishes catering for all of our allergies and all the food was delicious. The staff were well informed and everything was very relaxed – no stress about being different; no stress about the ‘safety’ of the food.’
Highly Commended
Henlow Grange, Bedfordshire
Commended
Crowne Plaza, Birmingham
The Gluten Free Kitchen Company, Tralee
Royal College of Physicians, London
B & Bs and Guest Houses – sponsored by Caterlyst
Winner
Stonecroft, Edale
‘Staying at Stonecroft was like staying with a trustworthy and knowledgeable friend. The food was delicious and the attention to detail was so reassuring. The whole ethos of Stonecroft is allergy first – rather than a chef designing the menu and then adapting it to suit. I would love to see her win the category – she really deserves to.’
Highly Commended
Swandale Guest House, Bridlington
Commended
Leonard’s Field, Keswick
Schools, Colleges & Universities – sponsored by Thomas Ridley Food Service
Joint winners
Eden Food Service
‘As corporate members of the Anaphylaxis Campaign you would expect Eden to provide a comprehensive service for the 60,000 children that they cater for – but they really go over and beyond. Their processes are excellent and we particularly commend their efforts to ensure that their allergic children do not feel excluded by providing them with meals as close as possible to those eaten by their non-allergic peers. Worthy winners.’
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
‘Excellent allergen awareness – in line with the university’s very enlightened approach to managing food allergy. Tight control procedures using the Saffron system allow tracking of all allergens – and allow students/guests to access that information via an app. Really good, safe systems but still exciting and interesting food.’
Highly Commended
Wilson Jones Catering at Kingfield Primary School
Commended
Southampton Solent University
Food manufactured for food service – Sponsored by Genon Laboratories
Joint Winners
Daura Damm Lager
‘Tastes great. Lovely – fresh & light and very much more than drinkable.’
Nairn’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Biscuit Breaks
‘Lovely oatcakey texture – yum, yum, yum! And how great that the only allergen they contain is soya lecithin!’. ‘Small pack sizes perfect for food service.’
Rule of Crumb Chicken Goujons
‘Oh yes – seriously tasty! Very much needed in the industry – moist chicken, crisp coating, good size, good price, good crumb! What is there not to like…. A winner!’
Highly Commended
Delicious Alchemy: Wheat & Gluten Free Mini Ginger Cake
Free From Italy: Le Conserve Della Nonna Red pesto sauce
Venice Bakery: 12 inch Frozen Free From Pizza Bases
Yumsh Snacks: The Story of When the Cheese Met The Onion
YumYum Bros: Oh My Goodness Merry Berry Bar
Commended
Free From Italy: La Buona Vita Gluten Free Lasagne
Rule of Crumb: Part Baked bread Roll (cook in packet)
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