Press releases

EThe third annual Taste of Birmingham festival has announced the winners of the prestigious Restaurant Awards at the exclusive Gala Evening hosted by celebrity chef Anthony Worrall Thompson and ITV’s Jo Malin.

The anticipation is finally over, as the winners of the competitive 2008 Taste of Birmingham Restaurant Awards, sponsored by Marketing Birmingham, were revealed at last night’s celebrity filled Gala Evening, held in the VIP enclosure at Cannon Hill Park to mark the beginning of the weekend long festival.

A glamorous host of guests including Big Brother 3 winner Kate Lawler, celebrity
chef Aldo Zilli and Britain’s Got Talent flair junkies Bar Wizards, presented awards including Best Newcomer and Best Family Restaurant, at the Gala Evening sponsored by Eversheds. This year’s Outstanding Personal Contribution Award went to Bill Farnsworth, the retired Director of Catering Studies at the world renowned Birmingham College of Food.
The prize of ‘Best Restaurant 2008’ presented by the first female winner of Big Brother, and radio presenter Kate Lawler, went to Michelin-starred restaurant Simpsons, who won a total of four awards on the night.

Dave Hodgson, Marketing Director at Marketing Birmingham said:

“The standard of Birmingham’s food and drink offering goes from strength to strength, and this was reflected in the quality of entries into this year’s Restaurant Awards. A big congratulations to the winners and all those involved.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors to Taste of Birmingham over the next few days to find out for themselves what gives these restaurants such recognition.”

The full list of winners included:

• Best Newcomer - Purnells, presented by Heart FM’s tasty breakfast duo; Ed James and Rachel New.
  

• Best Service - Aria at the Hyatt, presented by the exciting ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalists and master flair bartenders; Bar Wizards.
  

• Best Use of Seasonal Produce - Simpsons, presented by Director of Catering at University College Birmingham, Bill Farnsworth.
  

• Best Out of Town Restaurant - Saffron (Oldbury), presented by Richard Prowse, Partner at Eversheds and sponsors of the opulent Gala Evening.
  

• Best Family Restaurant - Jimmy Spices, presented by our Poet Laureate and Radio Broadcaster, Charlie Jordan, as voted for by the people of the West Midlands, through the Birmingham Mail.
  

• Best Business Lunch - Simpsons, presented by Glen Sturley from Lloyds TSB, as voted for by the readers of Birmingham Post.
  

• Rising Star - Aktar Islam (Lasan), presented by former England footballer and Sky Sports commentator, Don Goodman.
  

• Chef’s Chef - Luke Tipping (Simpsons), presented by the multi-award-winning chef, who graced England at the tender age of 19 to channel his passion for Italian food; the legendary, Aldo Zilli. This award was in fact voted for by the Taste of Birmingham chef’s, to recognise the chef who has epitomised personal achievement and culinary skills in their cuisine.
  

• Outstanding Personal Contribution - Bill Farnsworth, presented by the familiar face of exceptional chef; Martin Blunos.
  

• Best Restaurant 2008 – Simpsons, presented by the first female winner of Big Brother, television and radio presenter Kate Lawler.

The 2008 Taste of Birmingham Festival is now officially under way, and will be taking place all weekend at Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston. Tickets start from £12 and can be bought from the box office 0871 230 5581 or through the website www.channel4.com/taste
Visitors can enjoy demonstrations from celebrity chefs Antony Worrall Thompson and Aldo Zilli, along with sampling opportunities at the special Sainsbury’s Taste Kitchen, and taster menus from the finest restaurants in Birmingham and the region