Food & Drink Awards: Meet your 2024 winners!

Drumroll, please: nominated by the public and judged by industry experts, we are proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Velvet Food & Drink Awards, headline sponsored by TR Events & Catering

Tearoom/Coffee Shop of the Year
Sponsored by: Manna Seoul
Winner: Pages Coffee House, Cambridge

Says judge Riadh A. Falvo: “Pages ticks all the boxes. Consistently good coffee - plus unique offerings such as matcha, turmeric and beetroot lattes - excellently executed by a barista-trained team. Even with a significantly smaller repertoire than the others, the menu has freshly made, high quality baked goods. It’s a place that pulls you in out of the rain, holds you while you dry off, and warms you up with its lofi indie playlist. Being a neighbourhood community coffee house is the team’s primary focus and it shows. It’s what they do, who they are, and why they win.”
Runners up:
Cafe @Highgate, Willingham
Little Piggy, Fenstanton

Farm Shop/Deli of the Year
Sponsored by: Martin & Co
Winner: Morgan’s Butchery, Baythorne End

Says judge Michelle Alston: “The care and dedication that has gone into this family-run business is outstanding. Miles' 40 years of experience is exceptional and it's obvious in the care that he bestows on not just his regular customers but also new ones. As a "new customer", I immediately felt welcomed. The products are all exceptionally well-sourced with high-quality local meats at the core. You might find it strange that as a vegetarian I have awarded Morgan's Butchery this prize - however, I do have friends and family who eat meat and I would 100% want them to shop at Morgan's!”
Runners up:
Flourish Farm Shop, Hildersham
Meadows Cambridge

Producer of the Year
Sponsored by: Howes Percival
Winner: Fiona Pâtissière

Says judge Vhari Russell: “Fiona’s chocolate bars are sublime. Each containing four generously filled bars, handmade using premium ingredients and ethically sourced chocolate, her gourmet postal boxes are the perfect gift for the ultimate foodie. Every bite is a delicious adventure; there are chocolates and then there are *chocolates*! This is one of those special products where each mouthful leaves you happy, but still wanting more. . .”
Runners up:
Sourdough Hub, Newmarket
Peichin’s Table, Cambridge

Pub/Bar of the Year
Sponsored by: Thomas Ridley
Winner: The Bell Inn, Rickinghall

Says judge Giles Luckett: “Last year’s runner-up is this year’s winner. The Bell is a traditional country pub with an extensive menu ranging from the expected (homemade pies) to the exotic (jackfruit burger). Most importantly, it’s dog-friendly and treats were provided on arrival. Portions were plentiful, there was a choice of alcohol-free beers – helpful as most people will have driven - and the staff were friendly and accommodating. It was also good value. They have rooms and it would be a fine place to stay as you explore the pretty village and the surrounding area.”
Runners up:
Northstowe Tap & Social
Champion of the Thames, Cambridge

Street Food/Pop-up of the Year
Sponsored by: Rutherford’s Punting
Winner: Papas Locas

Says judge Pina Broccoli Anaia: “Papas Locas clearly put a lot of thought and effort into creating innovative dishes made with quality ingredients. They not only get their base ingredient right – fries with a perfect crispy exterior and fluffy interior – they also continuously come up with delicious toppings for the humble chip. Chef Nikolas has extensive experience in restaurants and food trucks and Anthi has a multicultural professional background – both are instrumental in delivering Papas Locas’ creative menu and friendly service. Their dedication to the family business and pursuit of excellence keeps taking Papas Locas to the next level.”
Runners up:
Meated BBQ, Cambridge
Oscar’s Lockdown Pizza, Cambridge

Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by: Kale & Damson
Winner: Restaurant 22

Says judge Hannah Gregory: “This was perhaps one of the warmest and friendliest fine-dining atmospheres I have ever experienced. The food itself was pure perfection: plate after plate of exquisiteness where ingredients not only shone in flavour but were transformed into works of art. When I found out I would be visiting Restaurant 22, I knew I would be in for a treat. I did not know I would end up having perhaps one of the best fine dining experiences I’ve ever had - I say experience rather than meal, because that’s exactly what Restaurant 22 is: a 360-degree experience, where every detail is thought out to the Nth degree.”
Runners up:
Vanderlyle, Cambridge
Kibou, Cambridge

Chef of the Year
Sponsored by: Kale & Damson
Winner: Dan Fancett, Fancett’s Bistro, Cambridge

Says judge Tine Roche: “It is sheer joy to sit down at a table in cosy, classic bistro-style Fancett’s and be handed a classic French menu, knowing that every single dish will be served to perfection. In true French fashion, Dan is completely led by seasonal and local ingredients: when I recently visited I was sent into a state of bliss by a green salad. I gave Fancett’s a 10 out of 10 on my fist visit in 2021 and they have remained on top. On a food scene shaped by short trends, chain eateries and crushing overheads for independents, I am particularly delighted to pronounce Dan Fancett this year’s winner.”
Runners up:
James Carn, Lark, Bury St Edmunds
Alex Harris, Puddini, Willingham

Hospitality Hero
Sponsored by: Cameron Hotel Collection
Winner: Ben’s Yard, Ely

Says judge Anne Beamish: “Immediately we stepped foot inside the restaurant, the manager acknowledged our arrival by catching my eye and smiling warmly - a great start. The food itself was of a high quality with a thoughtfully different take on the usual offering. We also ventured to the cafe and shops and received the same friendly, helpful experience. From the moment I received that reassuring smile of acknowledgement through to the cheery goodbye, everyone and everything showed that customer satisfaction was at the heart of the Ben’s Yard experience.”
Runners up:
Midgar Coffee, Bury St Edmunds
Down Hall Hotel & Spa, Bishop’s Stortford

Sustainability Hero
Sponsored by: TR Events & Catering
Winner: Alkemy Distillery

Says judge Rowen Halstead: “Rob and Will are clearly paving the way. Their ambition to create a carbon-neutral distillery is inspirational, and their aspirations towards changing how rum should be produced in this country has all the momentum to succeed. The drastic difference in carbon emissions between regular rum production and Alkemy's production speaks for itself. They word it perfectly in saying: "We believe that innovation is the key to addressing the climate issue, and this is a big part of what makes Alkemy the spirit that it is."
Runners up:
Sunshine & Green, Sudbury
Cambridge Organic

Equality Hero
Sponsored by: Newmarket Racecourses
Winner: Abbey People

Says judge Grace Mills: “Abbey People’s provision of anti-poverty support via the community fridge, their Pantry, and their Food Hub helps more than 130 households a week in one of Cambridge’s most deprived areas. Three-quarters of the households they help stated, devastatingly, that they simply would not be able to feed their families without the service. Most poignant for me was learning that those who attend the Abbey People Food Hub mentioned the increased dignity they felt by being able to contribute something towards the food. After all, to quote Laura Hillenbrand: ‘Without dignity, identity is erased.’”
Runners up:
Cambridge Community Kitchen
The EDGE Cafe, Cambridge

Community Hero
Sponsored by: Treatt
Winner: Diamond Hampers, St Neots

Says judge Jenny Jefferies: “Diamond Hampers provides solutions to many of society’s problems: supplying food to those people in need, including vulnerable families and individuals, the homeless, new homeowners and those leaving care, whilst at the same time combating food waste, signposting, championing collaboration and having aspirations to help encourage people to grow their own food at home. This, I believe, is a beautiful balance between significant current change, both locally and internationally, and dreaming big for the future to help eradicate poverty and hunger.”
Runners up:
Still Good Food, Bury St Edmunds
Neil Bharadwa, The Cambridge Fruit Company

Food & Drink Hero
Sponsored by: The Jockey Club Rooms
Winner: Tim Hayward, Cambridge

Says judge Dr Sue Bailey: “Key is his enthusiasm and drive – turning around the over 100-year-old famous Fitzbillies site in Cambridge with his wife Alison Wright into three very successful bakeries and cafes, writing a regular column for the Financial Times and just completing his recent book Steak. But what makes him a hero is the approbation of his peers. Most significant is his support - in investment of time, advice and money - for other local Cambridge food businesses, such as Scott’s All Day, that owe him a great deal. Congratulations Tim!”
Runners up:
Ben Hutton, Bury St Edmunds
Charlotte Giddings, Bury St Edmunds

With thanks to all our sponsors and partners, without whom these awards – free to enter and free to attend – would not be possible: