Restaurant awards launched

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.