Food and drink winners celebrate

Many businesses across Chronicle Country were recognised for their excellence.

In the best microbrewery category Potton brewery was highly commended, while The Black Cat Farm Shop was also highly commended in the Best Independent Wine Merchants category.

Others recognised include Gunns Bakery in Sandy which were highly commended in the Best Artisan Bakery and The Rockabilly Cake House also in Sandy which were commended in the Outstanding Service Excellence Award.

A family owned restaurant in Ampthill won the coveted overall county title in the first ever awards.

Fratellis is run by Carmello, Mario and Antonio Fratelli and has been in business for seven years.

“It’s brilliant but totally unexpected,” said Mario. “We hoped to finish in the top three of the restaurant of the year category – we weren’t expecting to win the overall award.”

The restaurant also won the Restaurant of the Year category.

The winners were decided by public vote earlier this year, with the golden envelopes opened at The Conservatory at Luton Hoo Walled Garden.

More than 29,000 votes were cast in total.

For more details on the awards visit the website www.bedsfda.co.uk – you can also search for the hashtag #BedsFinest on Twitter and search for Bedfordshire Food and Drink Awards on Facebook.

PIC: Colin Bridges