Results tagged “Restaurant awards” from Birmingham Mail - Restaurant Spy

True modesty is a rare quality but Bill Farnsworth, recently retired from the post of director of catering studies at University College Birmingham, possesses it in abundance.

He was sitting in the front row as the restaurant awards were announced at last night's VIP launch of Taste of Birmingham.

It took him an age to realise that the CV being read out as the award for a lifetime's contribution to this city's culinary scheme was his own.

Then be broke into a broad - and slightly embarrassed - grin as he walked on stage to pick up the trophy from Joanne Malin and Antony Worrall Thompson.

The restaurant awards run as part of the Taste of Birmingham food festival were officially launched this afternoon at Thai Edge at Brindleylace.

As chairman of the judging panel, I announced the shortlists for various categories and we'll be meeting soon to decide the winners (though some categories are decided by public vote or other means).

It was a cracking event with some top chefs there and a barbecue demonstration outside in the sunny, crowded square. Then I sat down for a very enjoyable luch at Thai Edge.

Check out Wednesday's Birmingham Mail for a full report by my colleague Paul Suart.

With the Taste of Birmingham food festival looming large on the (hopefully sunny) horizon at Cannon Hill Park this July, minds are already turning to who should get recognised in the restaurant awards that take place on the opening night of the event.

The award for the best new-comer will no doubt be a tough one to decide. During the the past 12 months we've had lots of great new places opening - Turner's, Jacky's Kitchen, Shanghai Ye, Purnell's, Pascal's and many others.

But the one that intrigues me is the award recognising an oustanding contribution to Birmingham's culinary scene. The winner in the first year was Andreas Antona of Simpson's. Last year it was Eddie McIntyre at University College Birmingham (formerly the College of Food). Hard acts to follow.