Food and Drink Festival Awards: The Winners
Fish and chip shop Godfrey’s has become the first winner of the St Albans Food and Drink Festival award for sustainability.
The business, based in Harpenden’s High Street, enjoyed a double celebration as they also won the title of Best Takeaway.
Fourteen awards were presented at a glittering dinner at the Sopwell House Hotel on Monday 2 October.
The ten-day Festival is organised by St Albans City and District Council with the help of a steering group.
Publican Sean Hughes also took two awards, the Kate D’Arcy Award for Customer Service and Best Bar for his Dylans The Kings Arms in George Street, St Albans.
Real ale company Farr Brew, based in Wheathampstead, had a double success, too, winning the Best Market Stall and Best Local Producer titles.
The Sustainability Award was sponsored by the Green Triangle, a partnership of organisations committed to establishing Hertfordshire as a centre of excellence in green technology.
This is the first time it has been presented at the Festival which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
Luke Godfrey, owner and manager of Godfrey’s, said: “I am extremely pleased to have won this award. Sustainability is something that is very important to us, rather than just a marketing ploy.
“It was drilled into the DNA of this business when it was founded five years ago as sustainability has always been one of my passions.
“We only use recyclable packaging and only use green electricity from a specialist supplier.
“Right from the start, I also ensured that all our fish is certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. I believe we were the first fish and chip restaurant in Hertfordshire to do that.”
Luke added: “This award is recognition of the work we have done and it will go up in the shop along with our Best Takeaway award for all to see. I’m very proud.”
He was presented with his award by Councillor Beric Read, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Business and the Community. Cllr Read had judged the sustainability award winner along with a Green Triangle representative.
The other 13 award winners emerged from a list of 350 nominations that went to a public vote during the summer.
More than 2,000 people took part in the online ballot with the top three or four in each category then being shortlisted.
Festival judges, including food and drink experts, made unannounced visits to the finalists to check on the quality of their service and produce as well as other attributes before choosing the winners.
Cllr Read said: “The standard in all categories was exceptionally high and it was very difficult to choose the winners.
“It shows that the District’s food and drink industry, which contributes so much to our local economy, is really booming.
“This was the first year we have presented the Green Triangle Award for Sustainability and in Godfrey’s we had a much deserved winner. It is a business which is really committed to doing its bit for the environment.”
The 14 winners (St Albans unless stated) were:
Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion:
Thompson St Albans.
Best Restaurant for Everyday Dining:
Per Tutti tied with
The Great Northern.
Best Pub:
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.
Best Bar:
Dylans The Kings Arms.
Best Café:
The Fleetville Larder;
Best Local Producer:
Farr Brew, Wheathampstead.
Best Food & Drink Shop:
Parker & Vine, Harpenden.
Best Market Stall:
Farr Brew.
Best Takeaway:
Godfrey's Fish and Chips, Harpenden.
Best Place to Do Business;
The Beech House.
Most Family Friendly:
The Waffle House.
Best Newcomer:
The Fleetville Larder.
Kate D’Arcy Award for Customer Service:
Sean Hughes, Dylans The Kings Arms.
The Green Triangle Award for Sustainability:
Godfrey’s Fish and Chips.
Picture: Luke Godfrey being presented with the sustainability award by Cllr Read.
Councillor contact:
Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Business and the Community for St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 07956 220264. Email: Cllr.B.Read@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City & District Council
Tel: 01727 296130
E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk
Note:
The Green Triangle is a partnership organisation based around three world leading research institutes: BRE (formerly, the Building Research Establishment), Rothamsted Research and The University of Hertfordshire. With the support of St Albans City and District Council and Oaklands College, it aims to establish Hertfordshire as a globally-renowned centre of excellence in green technology.