Winners of 2022 Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards revealed!

The winners of the 2022 Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards have been crowned at a glittering awards ceremony.

Last night, in front of an audience of more than 200 people, the very best places to eat and drink in the city were honoured at the event, which took place at The Chocolate Factory.

A total of 12 awards were handed out on the night, with Dining Room 121 carrying off the prestigious Restaurant of the Year title.

And on the night, the Outstanding Achievement Award went to the Padley Group in recognition of its work feeding the homeless over the years – and going above and beyond during the pandemic.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Once again, it was a lively and enjoyable night and it’s always a pleasure to congratulate all of this year’s winners and finalists.

“Marketing Derby really hopes that the greater profile that comes with the awards helps attract more customers to these businesses over what will be a very tough year ahead.”

Designed to shine a light on Derby’s brilliant food and drink businesses, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate the very best places to eat and drink across the city.

Over 3,000 nominations were received from members of the public, business leaders and food and drink establishment owners.

These were then whittled down to the lucky finalists, who were then visited by the judges so they could decide on a winner.

The winners and runners-up are:

BEST CAFÉ
WINNER: The Book Café
Runners-up: Milk and Honey, The River Kitchen

BEST BAR
WINNER: The Blacksmith’s Lounge
Runners-up: The Clubhouse, Suds ‘n’ Soda

BEST COUNTRY PUB / RESTAURANT (outside the city)
WINNER: Dog Inn at Pentrich
Runners-up: Amalfi White (Melbourne), The Horseshoes (Long Lane Village)

BEST FOR SUSTAINABILITY
WINNER: Mezzo
Runners-up: BEAR, Morley Hayes

BEST NEWCOMER
WINNER: Yassou, Little Eaton
Runners-up: The Blue Bell (Kirk Langley), Reunion (Belper)

BEST OVERALL EXPERIENCE
WINNER: The Kedleston Country House Hotel
Runners-up: The Bulls Head (Belper), Bustler Market

BEST PUB
WINNER: Exeter Arms
Runners-up: The Flowerpot, The Furnace Inn

EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE
WINNER: Bengal Kitchen
Runners-up: Anoki, Milk and Honey, Morley Hayes (Dovecote restaurant), Shalimar Gold

MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY
WINNER: Hackwood Farm
Runners-up: Bustler Market, The River Kitchen

MOST INNOVATIVE
WINNER: Arthur’s (Belper)
Runners-up: Blok Smokehouse, Mezzo

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Dining Room 121
Runners-up: The Catch @ The Cow, Morley Hayes (Dovecote restaurant)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
WINNER: Padley Group

Marketing Derby would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists and thank all who were involved in the 2022 Derby Food and Drink Awards.