Food lovers rejoice.
The 2009 Nottingham Restaurant Awards,
sponsored by local insurers and financial advisors, The Wilson Organisation, launched for the seventh year at bluu in the Lace Market on Wednesday 25th March.

The Awards wouldn’t be possible if wasn’t for the support of local businesses – through sponsorship, the restaurateurs – by simply doing what they do best, the media – for giving a voice to the restaurants, and last, but by no means least, the public – who put their vote where their tastebuds are!

Despite the present economic climate, the sponsors have all shown their support and confidence in an industry that provides employment to more than 9,500 full and part time staff in Nottinghamshire*

And, following a record breaking year last year – over 42,000 votes recorded – a lot is expected of 2009.

Charlotte Prow, Joint Managing Director of The Wilson Organisation explains why it was an easy decision to sponsor the awards again.

“Nottingham’s restaurant scene has real strength in depth, with some exceptionally talented individuals, and is proving to be a sector with real buoyancy.  We wanted to show our ongoing support for Nottingham restaurateurs and so it was a straightforward decision for us to continue our sponsorship of the Nottingham Restaurant Awards into a second year.  We are all looking forward to working with the organisers and the restaurants to make the 2009 awards a real year to remember.”

Also pledging their support as individual award sponsors are; Cookco Limited, Experience Nottinghamshire, Ibrow Media, Imperial Linen Company, Kitchen Confidential, Matthew Clark, New College Nottingham, Owen Taylor and Sons, Stirland Paterson, Unsoy UK and Young and Pearce.

But it’s not just the restaurants that stand to win in this event.  local company, Jet Black Air, has teamed up with the Jamie Oliver inspired restaurant, Fifteen Cornwall to give the lucky voting winner plus three family members and/or friends a day they will never forget!  Combining the best of British with unadulterated luxury, Jet Black Air will fly the winner plus guests from the Midlands to Newquay in Cornwall where they can enjoy a long lazy lunch at Fifteen Cornwall before returning home.

Kerry Mathie from organisers, Big Table PR, commented “We were keen to deliver a prize that would not only capture people’s imagination but was in keeping with the overall restaurant theme.  We also wanted to encourage people to look – perhaps again – at enjoying what Britain has to offer, and Cornwall’s the ideal for that.”  She adds “We’re also extremely grateful to Jet Black Air who have, once again, agreed to deliver a mode of transport that will ensure that this prize is enjoyed to its fullest.”

Fifteen Cornwall is an inspiring restaurant in a stunning location overlooking Watergate Bay, but at the heart of it all is a chef training programme with a simple mission – to empower young people who are in need of a second chance.
The restaurant offers an innovative menu of the best seasonal and local produce, prepared by talented professional chefs and aspiring young apprentice chefs, and served in a relaxed atmosphere by friendly and knowledgeable staff.  On top of this, there’s an incredible view over a beautiful two mile beach.  All profits from Fifteen Cornwall go the Cornwall Foundation of Promise, the registered charity which owns the restaurant. 
And whilst the winning voter luxuriates in the knowledge of a day to remember on the horizon, the restaurants will still be being put through their paces as once the voting has concluded at the end of April, those restaurants that fared best will receive an anonymous visit by the independent judges taken from the world of food and drink to make the final assessment.
The judges themselves are highly regarded in their field and the organisers, Big Table PR, are keen to maintain that standard – for the restaurants and public alike – and, of course, fairness.  And, in their turn, the judges that have participated over the years have given the city and county restaurant scenes a very positive press.
“Don't let anyone tell you that you can't eat well outside London. After a few years of judging, I can think of a number of Nottinghamshire restaurants that could hold their own with many in the capital. It's a privilege to be able to come and judge the Nottingham Restaurant awards, to see the enthusiasm, professionalism and wonderful produce on offer in the various restaurants. It gets better every year.”  Elizabeth Carter – Consultant Editor – the Good Food Guide

“Pubs are fast becoming the preferred choice for eating out and with the quality of the food offering improving in our new-wave city gastro-pubs and country dining pubs, the Best Pub Food category is a welcome new addition to the Nottingham Restaurant Awards. The standard of cooking at all the short listed finalists was high, with short, good value menus, especially the set lunch menus, offering quality, freshly cooked and well presented dishes, be it traditional sausages and mash or more imaginative modern pub dishes. The use of local, seasonal ingredients impressed me, with individual farms and producers often listed on the menu.”  David Hancock – Editor -  Alastair Sawday's Pubs & Inns Guide