News and Features

Awards all round!

Of course we know that our food and drink businesses are the best there is, but it's always good to hear they they're being recognised Nationally too.

Here are details of 3 fabulous award winners . . .

The Alasia wins ’Eating Out gluten-free’ Award 2010  

Somerset Food favourite, The Alasia Restaurant in Weston-Super-Mare was announced as the ’Eating Out Gluten-free’ runner up for 2010 by Coeliac UK at the Charity’s annual conference.

The winners of all the awards are chosen following nominations to the Charity by Coeliac UK members who explained that Michaela has an outstanding dedication to good food service and food quality and that it makes gluten-free a tasty pleasure. They highlighted that Michaela has a huge understanding of special diets, nothing is a problem and ingredients used are sourced locally.

“This award confirms that what we are doing is a good business decision. Our customers who suffer with coeliac disease are always so happy and grateful that we understand their condition. I have coeliac disease myself and hope more restaurants embrace the gluten-free way so that on my day off, I can eat out safely too!” says Michaela.

The Award for Eating Out Gluten-Free was sponsored by Dietary Specials. Chris Hook, Managing Directorsaid:  “Sadly, there aren’t many restaurants offering high-end gluten-free dining for people with coeliac disease to enjoy, which is why establishments such as The Alasia in Weston-Super-Mare deserve to be commended in this way.  They have an extensive gluten-free menu, and the food offered is of an exceptional quality – well done Alasia, and keep up the outstanding work!”

Don't think of the Alasia as 'that weird gluten free place' though, www.somersetfood devotees know that they have so much more to offer too!

contact The Alasia

A Barrel of Gold for The Orchard Pig

The Orchard Pig, from West Bradley, was delighted to receive three Golds at the Great Taste Awards 2010.  Its Medium Sparkling Cider, Apple Juice and Ginger and Sparkling Jonagold Apple Juice were all declared winnerss.

Andrew Quinlan said “We’re absolutely thrilled. The Fine Food Awards are a real benchmark of quality, because each product is tasted by several judges, and Gold Stars are only awarded when everyone is in agreement, so we are honoured to have made the grade once more.”

Only two and a half years old, The Orchard Pig is getting a reputation for innovation. Neil Macdonald said “It always comes down to the quality of the raw ingredients and we’re improving on that year by year in our orchards.  Our techniques and understanding are getting much better too so its great to see that someone thinks we’re doing it right!”

Fresh ginger was infused with apple juice to make Apple Juice and Ginger - a completely natural product with no added sugar and no concentrates, as are all of The Orchard Pig’s products. 

Sparkling Jonagold Apple Juice, another Gold Award winner, is a favourite with adults as well as children.  As the first company in the country to make it - people said it couldn’t be done with a cloudy juice - The Orchard Pig is quietly pleased, and smiling broadly!

West Best Beer at the Royal Oak

The Royal Oak in Clevedonhas been voted ‘Best Beer Pub in the South West’ in a competition run by the UK’s leading pub company.

The event was launched in April by Punch Taverns to reward licensees who consistently deliver excellent operational performance and deserve recognition.

Royal Oak licensees Charlie and Linda Richards said they were delighted to have been recognised with the award. “The whole team here are really pleased to have won this award. We pride ourselves on providing the finest choice of the highest quality beers and offering an excellent service to our customers,” said Charlie.

“There are no jukeboxes and fruit machines and we rely on the conversation from our patrons for atmosphere. There are also two fantastic open fires which draw the crowds in winter,” he added.

Punch’s regional operations manager Clive Greene commented : “There is a great range of real ales on offer, the cellar standards and lines are impeccable and there’s always a warm welcome!”