On the evening of the 23rd October 2013 the Awards Evening was held for the finalists of the Essex Tourism and Hospitality Awards at Boreham House in Chelmsford, and being one of the judges for the Best Hospitality Venue category I was invited along to attend. It was a fabulous evening which celebrated the businesses within Tourism and Hospitality which help to put Essex on the map as a tourist destination.

Photos of the winners can be found by clicking on this link

The winners are:

Young Chef of The Year – Melanie Sedge – Brentwood County High School

Best Tourism Service – Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre

Best Tourism Information Service – Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre

Best Restaurant Service – The Spotted Dog

Overall Winner – Customer Service of the Year – The Spotted Dog

Best Small Attraction – Lee Valley White Water Centre

Best Large Attraction – Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park

Best Event or Festival – Clacton Air Show

Best Business Tourism Initiative – Gilwell Park

Overall Winner – Attraction of the Year – Lee Valley White Water Centre

Best Small Hotel – The White Hart

Best Large Hotel – De Rougemont Manor

Best B&B – Hamilton’s Boutique Accommodation

Best Self Catering Facility – Creeksea Place Barns

Best Campsite / Caravan Park – Waldegraves & Cosways Family Holiday Parks

Overall Winner – Hospitality Venue of the Year – Waldegraves & Cosways Family Holiday Parks

Best Family Friendly Restaurant – Lucca Enoteca

Best Gastro Pub – The Spotted Dog

Best Newcomer Restaurant – The Stockwell

Best Fine Dining Restaurant – The Garden Restaurant at Orsett Hall

Best Ethnic Restaurant – Maldon Tandoori

Overall Winner – Restaurant of the Year – The Garden Restaurant at Orsett Hall

Chef of the Year – Robert Pearce – Orsett Hall Hotel

Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality – Hilary Hicks – Chelmsford College

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – Beth Chatto – Beth Chatto Gardens

Congratulations to all those that took part in these awards and well done to our worthy winners!