My 2022 Food and Drink Awards

Hello all and yes it’s that time of year again when I announce the winners of my personal Food and Drink Awards. I would like to thank all the chefs , front of house and sommeliers for once again being at the top of their game. This has led us to another fantastic year of dining experiences. Also this year keep an eye out for my New category. My favourite Front of House team. This is not about the restaurant managers but the waiting staff who with their personality and professionalism that go into making our dining experience a most pleasurable one.

Before we begin i would just like to clarify again why I call the categories Dining Experience. I could quite easily just say where I enjoyed the most amazing food but I decided that it should be more about the food so therefore include front of house and sommeliers. This would give everyone a chance to add some personal touches that would make our lunch/dinner an all round unforgettable occasion. So with that in mind I welcome you to the 2022 #LLOYDIES

WELCOME TO THE 2022 #LLOYDIES

MY TOP MICHELIN STAR DINING EXPERIENCE

MY TOP LONDON DINING EXPERIENCE (non – michelin star)

MY TOP ESSEX DINING EXPERIENCE

MY TOP GASTRO PUB DINING EXPERIENCE

BEST SUNDAY ROAST

TOP SOMMELIER EXPERIENCE

1st MARIA BOUMPA at DA TERRA 🥇

2nd MARCO NARDI at CARACTERE 🥈

3rd GARETH FERR at CORE by CLARE SMYTH 🥉

4th AGNIESZKA at THE FIVE FIELDS

5th PIERRE KNAP at HELENE DARROZE at the CONNAUGHT

TOP MICHELIN STAR DESSERT

TOP LONDON DESSERT

TOP ESSEX DESSERT

TOP GASTRO PUB DESSERT

MY FRONT OF HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR

I would like to say a big thank you to every member of staff from reception , bar staff , waiters and waitresses who have made all our visits to Theo Randall a special one. You have all been a great credit to the hospitality industry and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

SPECIAL MENTION

AMI ELLIS

As you know I do love a dessert or two. This leads me to this year’s special tribute. She is my favourite Pastry Chef who I consider to be one of the best in the business. I’m talking about Ami Ellis from the Bailiwick Freehouse in Englefield Green on the doorstep to the Windsor Great Park. I first tried one of Ami’s desserts back in August 2019 when she was at the Oxford Blue. Then during the last year or so I’ve absolutely loved every fantastic dessert at the Bailiwick. Her skill , creativity and flavour combinations are amazing from her bavarois , trifles , mille feuille to a heavenly old school Knickerbocker Glory. Thank You Ami I look forward to trying many more of your fabulous desserts in the future

Well there you are another fantastic foodie year comes to an end. I do hope you all enjoy the #LLOYDIES. I would like to once again thank the hospitality industry for their amazing efforts that has made my dining experiences this year amazing ones. I’d also like to thank everyone for all your support and look forward to seeing you all again next year. Have a fabulous Xmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2023