Member Article

Celebrity Chef Brian Turner announces Lombardi's as Chesterfield’s top restaurant

One of Chesterfield’s oldest Italian restaurants, Lombardi’s has been named as the town’s Restaurant of the Year, taking the top honour in the seventh annual Food and Drink Awards held last night on 23 October.

Established in 2002 and based on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield, Lombardi’s succeeded in scooping the coveted title after being shortlisted for the top award in 2017. Since then the family-owned Italian restaurant has continued to impress diners with its ‘authentic rustic Italian dishes bursting with flavour, cooked with passion.’

Accepting the award at the glittering awards evening, which was hosted by celebrity chef Brian Turner, Christina and Daniel Power, owners of Lombardi’s said: “It feels incredible to win this award after being in this business for 18 years. It’s amazing to be acknowledged for what we do - bringing the real taste of Italy to Chesterfield since 2002.

“We are regarded as an institution in the town, but we’re not standing still. We have just expanded the business to create more seating and will create an outdoor seating area next year to meet demand from our customers.”

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with the Chesterfield College Group, the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards ceremony was this year held at the Winding Wheel Theatre. Recognising the very best people, bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes and food producers, the awards have been a highlight in the town’s food and drink sector since 2013.

In addition to Lombardi’s, 14 bars, restaurants, food producers, cafés and individuals also scooped an accolade across 15 categories at the ceremony.

Congratulating all the winners, Brian Turner said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. Whether a winner or runner up everyone should be proud of themselves.”

Other headline winners on the night included Casa Hotel, which scooped two awards - International Restaurant of the Year and Conference Venue of the Year.

Town centre-based Sorbo Lounge was also named as Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer. Based in the former Post Office building in Market Place, Sorbo Lounge embodies Chesterfield’s drive to evolve and create a modern town centre environment.

More than 260 people attended what has become the biggest night of the year for Chesterfield’s food and drink community. The awards are also a hands-on learning experience for headline sponsor, Chesterfield College’s hospitality students, who served canapés to guests at the venue.

Brian Turner added: “The hospitality industry is demanding but hugely enjoyable and for all young people on the brink of a career within it, work experience is critical. It is great to see Chesterfield College and its students involved with the awards. Involvement in the Young Chef competition and the practical involvement of the hospitality students serving the canapés on the night deliver invaluable work experience to young people, which will benefit them in their future careers in the industry.”

Young and upcoming talent in the sector was also put under the spotlight at the awards with Chesterfield College student, Jake Parkin being named as the Young Chef of the Year.

David Malone, Chief Operations Officer from Chesterfield College Group said: “It was fantastic to be part of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards again this year. I would like to congratulate all the winners and nominees. It is inspiring to see so many people from the local industry gather to celebrate the success of established businesses and those who are just starting out. It’s wonderful to see the next generation of catering and hospitality experts being recognised too. I hope we will see the finalists and winners of the Apprentice and Young Chef of the Year play a part in this thriving sector in the future.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “Once again the Food and Drink Awards has ceremony been a huge success with more people nominating and more businesses and individuals being shortlisted than previous years. The year-on-year growth of the awards is a direct reflection of how the town’s food and drink sector is continuing to grow.

“There is a great sense of community in the sector with businesses and individuals committed to its success, and this was reflected at the awards ceremony. It was a wonderful celebration. Congratulations to everyone.”

The winners of the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards are:

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant

Cafe/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier The Lilypad Café & Restaurant

Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors The Rectory

Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by the University of Derby Pump + Grind

Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP Chartered Accountants Sorbo Lounge

Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) Bottle & Thyme

Best Out of Town – sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants Southgate Brasserie at Van Dyk by Wildes, Clowne

Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by Edge Events Management Derbyshire Distillery

Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by Owen Taylor & Sons Jake Parkin

International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller Cocina at Casa Hotel

Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Creative Design Chesters

Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Apprentice Town (Led by Chesterfield Borough Council) Donna McMahon, Van Dyk by Wildes

Apprentice Employer of the Year - Sponsored by Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group) Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa

Conference Venue of the Year Casa Hotel

Chesterfield Food Hero Chris Mapp, Head Chef at the Tickled Trout

Other supporters of the awards include Derbyshire Times, Distinctive Magic, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST 2 - Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Franklins & Sons, Magnifica, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Melton .