A DARESBURY firm has been named as a finalist in prestigious awards.

After a record-breaking 64,794 votes were cast by the public, the initial voting stage of the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards has concluded.

Organisers have now announced the shortlisted finalists who will compete in the next stage of the competition.

This entails a panel of industry experts conducting mystery shopping visits and dine at each finalist establishment to determine the ultimate winners.

As well as a Daresbury business being shortlisted, a number of Warrington businesses have been shortlisted.

For Local Produce Shop of the Year, Growing @Field 28 in Daresbury has been named as a finalist, as has The Hollies Farm Shop which has a site in Lower Stretton.

Growing @Field 28 could win a second award as Food Producer of the Year.

The Parrs Bank Hotel which is based in Warrington town centre is up for the Cheshire Accommodation Award.

Pendergast's Steak House, based in The Hive, has been shortlisted for Best Newcomer.

Vandal on Palmyra Square is competing for both Best Cheshire Bar and Best Small Restaurant.

And for Best Large Restaurant, San Lorenzo, on Palmyra Square, and Pendergast’s Steakhouse and Bar have both been shortlisted.

The grand finale of the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards will take place on October 2 at Chester Racecourse.

Taste Cheshire owner Briony Wilson said: “Another year, another astonishing result.

“It’s amazing to see so many people supporting our local food and drink industry and I for one can’t wait to see who wins.”

The finalists for the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards 2024 are:

Local Produce Shop of the Year

The Hollies Farm Shop

Rose Farm Shop, Tarporley

Growing @Field 28 farm shop & deli

The Littlest Farm Shop, Malpas

Grange Farm at Lowton

Event Venue of the Year

The Chester Fields

Treasury Private Dining Palmyra Square, Warrington

Chester Cathedral

Chester Racecourse

 

Cheshire Accommodation Award

The Pheasant at Burwardesley

The Hollies Forest Lodges

The Chester Townhouse

The Parrs Bank Hotel

Best Newcomer

The Nook & Cranny (Alderley Edge)

Axt Haus

Pendergast's Steak House, Warrington

Brewski

Zucca Frodsham

 

Best Casual Eatery

The Emporium, Westminster Park.

Bean & Cole

Little Yellow Pig

Fork & Flavour

Lyndas Cakes and Tea Room, Saughall

Best Cheshire Bar

Little  Tap.  Tarporley

Vandal, Warrington

Bar Lounge

Craft & Company

 

Cheshire's Best MicroPub

Bondies - Ellesmere Port

The Crafty Tavern

Sandstone

Homebrew Tap in Hoole, Chester

 

Food Producer of the Year

Groobox

Bourne’s Cheshire Cheese

Growing @Field 28

The Weston Biltong Company

SJ Bebbington Butchers Westminster Park

 

Drink Producer of the Year

Weetwood Ales & Distillery

Three Wrens Gin

Spookton Brewery

Spitting Feathers Brewery

 

Green Award for Sustainability

Field Kitchen at Groobarbs Wild Farm

Twenty Eight, Chester

Jaunty Goat

Chester Zoo

 

Family Friendly Venue

Ring O'Bells, Christleton

Hickory's Smokehouse, Chester

The Shady, Tiverton

The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer

 

Local Produce in a Menu

Groobarbs Field kitchen

Little Tap - Terrarium

Poco, Hoole

Fork and Flavour, Chester

The Chester Fields, Mickle Trafford

Twenty Eight, Chester

 

Best Cheshire Pub

Swan at Marbury

The Mount Inn

The Leopard Nantwich Tap

Antrobus Arms

The Fox and Barrell, Cotebrook

 

Best Small Restaurant

Vandal, Warrington

Poco, Hoole

Little Tap - Terrarium

Upstairs at the Grill

The Vines, Carden Park Hotel

 

Best Large Restaurant

Field Kitchen at Groobarbs Wild Farm

Artezzan Restaurant and Bar

San Lorenzo Italian

The Chef's Table

Pendergast's Steakhouse and Bar