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October 28, 2014
Celino's: multiple winner at the Scottish Italian Awards.
Celino’s: multiple winner at the Scottish Italian Awards.

Italian restaurants on 5pm Dining were very well represented at the recent Scottish Italian Awards.

Set up to celebrate up the contribution of Scotland’s Italian restaurants to the country’s culinary life, the awards are voted for by the public. Over a thousand businesses entered in the different categories and over 30,000 votes were cast.

5pm member Celino’s took down two of the top prizes when the restaurant was named Best Bistro and its head chef, Chris Rouse, was named Best Chef at the awards in Glasgow on Sunday.

Celebrity chef

The chef made it thorough to the final judging session when he had to cook for celebrity chef and restaurateur Aldo Zilli. 5pm customers agree with the judging panel. Celino’s has a magnificent rating of 4.6/5 – one of the highest on 5pm. Several customers have used the 5pm review service to label Celino’s the ‘best Italian in Glasgow’.

Staying in Glasgow, La Lanterna, another very popular 5pm restaurant, was given the prize for Best Team.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Tony Pierotti of Piccolo Mondo in Renfrew and Glasgow city centre.

On the other side of the M8, Tony Crolla, his family and his team were celebrating after they scooped several prizes.

Most romantic restaurant

The Vittoria Group was named Best Multiple Operator while Divino Enoteca has two new awards to display: Best Restaurant Design and Most Romantic Restaurant.

The group’s La Favorita restaurants won Scotland’s Best Pizza.

The romantic interior at Divino Enoteca.
The romantic interior at Divino Enoteca.

Owner of The Vittoria Group, Tony Crolla said: ‘It’s a massive achievement for our group to be recognised and we would like to thank all of our amazing customers for voting for us. To take home this many awards is fantastic and it is thanks to our great team of management, chefs, and staff, the support of my family and the loyalty of our guests since 1970.’

All the winners

Italian Chef of the Year: Chris Rouse from Celino’s in Glasgow

Runner up: Ashley Rainbow from Little Italy in Dumfries

Scotland’s Best Team: La Lanterna in Glasgow

Best Bistro: Celino’s in Glasgow

Best Restaurant Design: Divino Enoteca in Edinburgh

Angela and Tony Crolla at the awards.
Angela and Tony Crolla at the awards.

Scotland’s Best Pizza: La Favorita Delivered in Edinburgh

Joint Runners Up: Vito’s in Ayr and Toni’s Pizzeria in Giffnock

The Best Fish and Chips: The Bridge Cafe in Sauchie

Best Italian Restaurant: Little Italy in Dumfries

Best Pasta: Amodo Mio in Falkirk

Best Multiple Operator: Vittoria Group in Edinburgh

Best Ice Cream Parlour: Crolla’s Gelateria in Glasgow

Most Romantic Restaurant: Divino Enoteca in Edinburgh

Best Newcomer: Toni’s Pizzeria in Giffnock, Glasgow

Best Deli: Eusebi Deli in Glasgow

Favourite Italian Business: Pietro’s Deli in Glasgow

Best Marketing Team: Eusebi Deli in Glasgow

Best Family Restaurant: Rigatoni’s in Edinburgh

Best Barista: Marco Caira from Visocchi’s in Broughty Ferry

Best Wine List: Capo Landa in Muirhead, Glasgow