HOSPITALITY HEROES CROWNED AS ANNUAL CELEBRATION RETURNS
The Midlands Food Drink & Hospitality Awards returned this week after a two-year hiatus, crowning the best food and drink venues across the region. Thirty awards were handed out on the night, celebrating the industry’s resilience over the past few years.
The annual event, which is organised by B EVENTS, took place at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham and welcomed over 600 guests. A sell-out success, this year’s Midlands Food Drink & Hospitality (MFDH) Awards provided an evening of celebration for the region’s hospitality heroes, with host Ed James (Heart FM) at the helm.
Big winners on the night included The Grand Hotel, which picked up Hotel of the Year; Aston Villa’s Holte Suite, which was crowned Venue of the Year; and The Canal House’s Liam Hughes, who was named General Manager of the Year. The region’s independents were also big winners, with Jewellery Quarter-based Tierra winning Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year; Laghi’s Deli picking up Italian Restaurant of the Year; and Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year going to Restaurant Folium.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement was a posthumous award for Chris Giles, owner of The Butler’s Arms in Sutton Coldfield, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Tribute was paid to the much-loved publican by Tony Elvin, one of this year’s MFDH Awards judges and a friend of Giles, who collected the award on behalf of the Giles family, who were also in attendance.
Anita Chumber, co-founder of B EVENTS, comments:
“The return of the Midlands Food Drink & Hospitality Awards was special for so many reasons, but being able to celebrate the life of Chris Giles with his family and friends in the room, really was a heart-warming moment.
The past few years have been so challenging for the hospitality sector – not least with the effects of the pandemic, Brexit and now the rising cost of supplies. It was important for us to bring back the event and celebrate people who have worked tirelessly to provide fantastic food, drink, and experiences for people up and down the region.
A huge ‘congratulations’ to every single winner on the night and a big thank you to our sponsors, supporters, and attendees. What a return it was!”
The MFDH Awards is now in its sixth year, having been founded in 2016 to celebrate the region’s food and drink scene. Every year, the event has grown in both numbers and the broadened scope of businesses celebrated, and it has become synonymous with celebrating passion, pride, and resilience throughout the sector. The 2022 saw Acorns Hospice chosen as its beneficiary, with over £4,500 raised on the night for the charity.
Click here to see photos from the big night.
The full list of this year’s MFDH Awards winners are:
• Afternoon Tea Establishment Of The Year: Cup A Cha – Stafford
• Bar/Restaurant Manager Of The Year: Jacob Clarke – Couch Stirchley
• Boutique Hotel Of The Year: Hotel Du Vin – Birmingham
• Brewery/Distillery Of The Year: Joules Brewery – Shropshire
• Casual Dining Restaurant Of The Year: Tierra – Birmingham
• Chef Of The Year: Louisa Ellis
• Cocktail Bar Of The Year: Couch Stirchley Birmingham
• Desi Bar/Grill Of The Year: Soho Tavern – Birmingham
• Dessert Parlour Of The Year: Haute Dolci – Birmingham
• Drinks Merchant/Tasting House: Stirchley Wines & Spirits – Birmingham
• Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumous): Chris Giles
• East Asian Restaurant Of The Year: Chung Ying Cantonese – Birmingham
• Fine Dining Restaurant Of The Year: Restaurant Folium – Birmingham
• Food/Drink Festival Of The Year: Independent Birmingham
• Gastro Pub Of The Year: The High Field – Birmingham
• General Manager Of The Year: Liam Hughes – The Canal House
• Hotel Of The Year: The Grand Hotel – Birmingham
• Hotel Bar Of The Year: Brabazon Bar – The Belfry Hotel
• Independent Coffee Shop Of The Year: Bora Coffee Co. – Solihull
• Italian Restaurant Of The Year: Laghi’s Deli – Birmingham
• People’s Choice: Chung Ying Cantonese – Birmingham
• Networking Venue Of The Year: Ucb Restaurant
• Rising Star Of The Year: Burhan Ahmed – Dine With Burhan Ltd
• South Asian Restaurant Of The Year: Dishoom – Birmingham
• Steak House Of The Year: Gaucho – Birmingham
• Street Food Operator Of The Year: Fat Snags – Birmingham
• Traditional Pub Of The Year: Duke Of York – Lichfield
• Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant Of The Year: Ba-Ha – Birmingham
• Venue Of The Year: Holte Suite – Aston Villa
• Sustainable Food Business Of The Year: Plant + Pulse – Birmingham
This year’s sponsors included Uber Eats (Headline Sponsor), Too Good To Go, Bootcamp Media, Letsanify, Flying Buffalo, Elonex Outdoor Media, Alberts Schloss, Stephensons, Touchwood, and Swallow Drinks.
