THE best chefs, business owners and food traders in our area gathered in Gloucester on Monday to celebrate the county's vibrant food and drink scene.
Glos Foodie Awards 2024 affirmed Cirencester as a top dining destination in the Cotswolds on Monday evening, April 22 after two businesses from our glorious market town were presented with trophies.
This year the bustling awards ceremony was hosted by master of ceremonies Gethin Evans at the historic Blackfriars Priory venue.
One of Cirencester's up and coming businesses, Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden, won the Start Up of the Year Award.
Sam Lawson-King and Toby Baggott opened the café, which is situated at The Old Kennels next to Cirencester Park, just over a year ago and have since launched an accompanying deli, hosted an array of events and created a flourishing onsite kitchen garden.
The duo proudly accepted the award with the dining hub's talented head chef Sam Idoine on Monday night.
Mr Baggott said: "We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in the 12 months since opening our kitchen garden and cafe/restaurant at the Old Kennels in Cirencester, and are very much excited for the year ahead.
"Our focus since opening Roots + Seeds is all about building on our relationship with the wider community and providing a fun, welcoming, family-focused environment, whilst celebrating the fantastic fresh produce grown in our own 1/4 acre kitchen garden and our amazing suppliers within a 25-mile radius."
Meanwhile, the cafe's next door neighbour Corinium Ales scooped up the Best Beer and Cider for its popular Centurion Stout II.
The brewery team passed the trophy around and snapped some smiley selfies with the award.
Co-owners of Corinium Ales Colin Knight and Lucy Cordrey said: "We were very excited to share this winning experience with our fantastic team. It’s such a boost!
"We still love what we do after more than 10 years and feel very fortunate to be brewing in a beautiful place with huge Roman and brewing heritage and such fantastic and loyal support."
Furthermore, Sam's Montpellier in Cheltenham was named the Best Restaurant in Gloucestershire.
However, runner up Indian Rasoi in Cirencester was highly commended by the judging panel.
Roman Abu, director and manager of the popular Indian restaurant, said: "We were delighted to be nominated and despite not walking away with the award we received a commendation. This, from our peers and industry professionals means a lot."
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