News & Features

They have won top slots in the prestigious 'Flavours of Hambleton' awards.

A woman who has spent 30 years in the hospitality food industry has been awarded an outstanding achievement award. Sara Haigh who now runs front of house at the Black Lion in Thirsk took the title.

The Hambleton District Council competition - now in its sixth year - attracted hundreds of nominations for more than 100 different businesses.

At a special ceremony at Thirsk Racecourse the winners collected their prizes.

They are:
- Breakfast of the Year - Roots, East Rounton

- Food producer of the Year - Stamfrey Farm, West Rounton

- Outside caterer of the Year - T.A.S.T.E, Thirsk

- Village Shop of the Year - Huby

- Pub food of the Year - Carlton Bore, Carlton Husthwaite

- Specialist Retailer of the Year - TS Hartley and Sons, Tholthorpe

- Tearoom of the Year - Roots, East Rounton

- Restaurant of the Year - Chapters, Stokesley

- Newcomer of the Year - Raines, Helperby

- Foods of the World - Gulshan Tandoori

- Outstanding Achievement - Sara Haigh

Highly commended prizes went to Fine Foods Of Yorkshire, Easingwold; Home Farm Shop, Beningbrough; Sam Turners, Northallerton; Its Nut Free, Northallerton; Lewis and Cooper, Northallerton; Yum Yums Deli and Coffee House, Easingwold; Kilburn Village Stores; New Inn, Tholthorpe; Ship Inn, Worsall; J B Cockburns and Sons, Bedale; TCafe, Kilburn; Kiplin Hall; Raines of Helperby; Roots; Banglafusion, Northallerton; Red Chilli, Northallerton; The Snug, Easingwold; and Black Lion, Thirsk.

The awards were established by the District Council in 2004 to celebrate the best in food and drink in Hambleton.

"We set out to strengthen the links between tourism and the food and drink industry - to develop a distinct cuisine for Hambleton," said Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Councillor Tony Hall.

"Judging by the standard of entries for these awards there is a wealth of excellence out there - and making final choices for the top prizes was very difficult.

"Every one of the finalists was a winner and should be very proud of their achievements."

The event attracted sponsorship from local champions - the Darlington and Stockton Times, ITV - Tyne Tees Television, deliciouslyorkshire, Annie Stirk Specialist Food PR and Marketing, Haighs Master Bakers, Grand Central Railways; Star Radio, Madhatter Teas, Dooleys of Easingwold, Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership