Tasty awards

By Paul Fulford on March 13, 2008 5:29 PM | Permalink

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.

But there must be scores of people in our city who have made this a great place to eat and drink. A good few spring to mind instantly.

It's a shame they can't all get gongs at July's ceremony. I, for one, never have anything but the greatest admiration for those who work in the tough world of catering and ensure that standards are high and that customers are happy.

Whenever I wander into the hot, frantic atmosphere of a restaurant kitchen, I'm always pleased that my place is usually the other side of the pass.