Food & Drink Awards: It’s time to meet your Suffolk winners. . .

Drumroll, please: nominated by the public and judged by industry experts, we are proud to announce the winners of our 2025 Suffolk Food & Drink Awards

Tearoom/Coffee Shop of the Year – Winner: Midgar Coffee, Bury St Edmunds
Sponsored by: Haughley Park
Says judge Riadh Falvo: “When I say I struggled to choose a winner this year in Suffolk, I mean I lost sleep. . . When we visited the winner, though, the delivery of the coffee was second to none, prompting us to try more drinks and food items off the menu and consequently vibrate all the way home! With its Scandinavian-inspired design, comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, ample outlets and choice of inside and outside spaces, it’s also an ideal spot for both relaxation and working remotely. Plus it’s dog-friendly - bonus points!”
Runners up:
Maeve’s Tearoom, Woodbridge
Victor Victoria, Newmarket

Farm Shop/Deli of the Year – Winner: La Hogue Farm Shop & Cafe, Chippenham
Sponsored by: Martin & Co
Says judge Tammy King: “Based on how busy they were, all standards at the winning shop and cafe were extremely high. I found the staff helpful, friendly and they really went the extra mile to make sure our time spent at their shop and cafe was enjoyable. The atmosphere here was amazing; welcoming and professionally run.”
Runners up:
Seed Farm Shop, Worlington
Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead

Food Producer of the Year – Winner: Hillfarm Oils
Sponsored by: Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Says judge Vhari Russell: “A wonderful array of products that really deliver on flavour. They are also brilliantly packaged - the reason to buy, how to use and what makes them special is shared on every bottle. It was great to see such strong branding reflected across social media as well as the website. I really liked the refill option, too, as this is a great way in which consumers can make simple changes.”
Runners up:
Wood Row Chocolates, Suffolk Markets
Number Eighteen Honey, Boxford

Beverage Producer of the Year – Winner: VETO, Bury St Edmunds
Sponsored by: Love Newmarket
Says judge Steve Webb: “You can tell they're passionate about what they're doing. Thought, care and attention have clearly gone into every aspect of the brand: the packaging, their mission, what they're doing with sustainability. . . THEN you have 15% of profits going to charity. No-and-low is a big thing at the moment, but these guys have carved a different niche - Play with caffeine is genius concept, while Pause is a ‘normal’ low-ABV beer - and it's a really clean, crisp taste.”
Runners up:
Heart of Suffolk Distillery, Bacton
Niche Cocktails, Easton

Street Food/Pop-up of the Year – Winner: Marco’s Smoke Shed, Woodbridge
Sponsored by: Wood St. Coffee
Says judge Hannah Gregory: “On first look you may think this is just your standard roadside burger van; it is anything but. Anything that is not made inhouse is proudly sourced from local Suffolk suppliers with an emphasis on keeping food miles low and quality high. Not only is Marco serving perhaps the best burger I’ve had this side of London – there, I said it - he also offers a safe space for anyone who needs to chat or vent about the trials and tribulations of life, acknowledging that cooking has been a sort of therapy when managing his own mental health. It was an absolute pleasure not only to eat his food, but to chat the breeze with him. I cannot wait to go back for more.”
Runners up:
Amelie, Wyken Vineyards
Papas Locas, Suffolk Markets

Pub/Bar of the Year – Winner: The Bildeston Crown
Sponsored by: Thomas Ridley Foodservice
Says judge Giles Luckett: “This pub is just lovely. Old world charm meets modern elegance. The staff were attentive and the food, especially the venison Scotch egg, was excellent. A welcoming atmosphere and gentle ambience, it was popular even for a mid-week lunchtime. My only reservation is that it was too far from home, otherwise, it might well become a home-from-home.”
Runners up:
The White Horse Inn, Badwell Ash
The Wine Cellar, Bury St Edmunds

Restaurant of the Year – Winner: Lark, Bury St Edmunds
Sponsored by: Kale & Damson
Says judge Nicola Miller: “Chef James Carn and his team understand food should be deliciously playful (that rabbit pie complete with 'shank', celebratory trifles, the cute little eggs mimosa), but this is underpinned with astonishing technical skill and culinary knowledge not only in cooking but menu composition - including an understanding when to leave ingredients alone (for example: tiny plates of perfect Don Bocarte anchovies and platters of rosy-pink and red charcuterie). Importantly, there's a tangible sense of honesty and loyalty to Lark's relationships with guests, suppliers and fellow hospitality businesses, too.”
Runners up:
The Leaping Hare, Wyken Vineyards, Stanton
Retreat East, Hemingstone

Hotel of the Year – Winner: The Angel, Bury St Edmunds
Sponsored by: Ernies Outdoor Living
Says judge Olivia Shave: “What truly set this hotel apart was its atmosphere. It felt inclusive, relaxed and intimate — perfect for a solo guest, a girls’ night, or a special occasion. The guest demographic was refreshingly diverse, and at no point did anyone feel out of place, which speaks volumes about the ambiance and culture cultivated by the team. It was also the only hotel where I received a genuinely warm and welcoming reception on arrival. That immediate sense of ease and hospitality set the tone for everything that followed - and in my view, exemplifies the spirit of a great hotel.”
Runners up:
Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa
The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa

Hospitality Hero of the Year – Winner: Aldrin Manaois, Mangiare, Newmarket
Sponsored by: TR Global Events
Says judge Ben Hatton: “The criteria for this category began with ‘excellent customer service’ and that’s exactly what we got, you could hear the staff quick to greet and see to other guests too and it had a real neighbourhood restaurant vibe. Combining this with great food just delivered an overall experience with nothing to fault.”
Runners up:
Liam Schofield, Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa
Rosa Ferrara, milsoms Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich

Sustainability Hero of the Year – Winner: Alkemy Distillery, Bury St Edmunds
Sponsored by: Grand Arcade: Let’s Go Circular
Says judge Rowen Halstead: “It's always a hard decision picking from heroes in our industry trying to make a brighter future for it, but I have to give this award to Alkemy for a second year in a row. Their efforts for creating a rum with staggering reduction in environmental impacts is inspirational. Its connections with Suffolk run deep, from an area so rich in sugar beet history that its principles should stand as a staple of Suffolk sustainability.”
Runners up:
Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, Newmarket
The Debenham Lion

Chef of the Year – Winner: Justin Sharp, Pea Porridge, Bury St Edmunds
Sponsored by: Kale & Damson
Says judge Tine Roche: “Housed in a charming set of wooden-floorboarded cottages from the early 1800s and overlooking a lovely little neighbourhood square after which it takes its name, the setting could not be more delightful. Awarded a Michelin star this year for his cooking, Justin and his team offer a daily changing menu led by local, seasonal and sustainable produce treated with assured ‘nose-to-tail’ respect. The front-of-house team is professional, calm, informative. I would also like to highlight the superb, eclectic wine list, focusing on small-producer organic and natural wines. A neighbourhood restaurant of the highest quality, at total ease with itself and with Mediterranean/Levantine/North African inspired food of exceptional quality. Lucky Bury-St-Edmunds.”
Runners up:
Dave Wall, The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge
Vincent Woolley, The Pantry, Newmarket

Food & Drink Hero of the Year – Winner: Suffolk Market Events
Sponsored by: TREATT
Says judge Karen Harvey: “Not only have they built a successful business - and enabled other small businesses to grow and reach audiences - the knock-on effect of their markets has boosted local economies and affected local businesses and communities in a positive way. From the simple premise of Justine not wanting her local farmers’ market to close, because she liked it, to taking it and many other markets on, they have built something brilliant based on a balance of professionalism and care for the people involved.”
Runners up:
Charlotte Giddings, Brownie & the Bean
Gatehouse Food Bank, Bury St Edmunds

Sense of Ceremony
Finalists, judges, sponsors and partners joined the Velvet team for the awards ceremony at Suffolk’s Haughley Park on June 9. Following a champagne and canape reception, presenters Alice Ryan, editor of Velvet, and Jonathan Tewson, head of events at parent company Iliffe Media, announced the winners, with judges and sponsors presenting each with their trophy.
All guests left with a goodie bag filled with artisanal treats, including beans from Wood St Coffee, crips from Savoursmiths, posh pops from Breckland Orchard, tea from Bird & Blend, gin from Warner’s Distillery, chocolate spread from JimJams, tonic from Double Dutch Drinks, truffle sauces from Betruffle and vouchers from Dishoom Permit Room, Cambridge.
Thanks go to all sponsors, partners and supporters of the awards - and you, Velvet’s readers, for getting behind the idea and nominating all your food and drink favourites: there would be no awards without you!

The winners of our Cambridgeshire Food & Drink Awards for 2025 will be announced in the August magazine - and on our site and socials immediately following the ceremony at Childerley on June 23.

Both Velvet’s Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Food & Drink Awards will be back for 2026 and are already in the planning stages! For more information and updates, see velvetfooddrinkawards.co.uk