Angelina, Gwyneth and Cameron all sparkled on the red carpet at the Oscars last night but their glamour may look a little faded this evening when the Scottish Restaurant Awards, sponsored by 5pm, take place at the Glasgow Science Centre.
Oh alright, your blogger can’t quite fill a DJ with the same panache as Brad but it’s still going to be a very glitzy evening as the cream of Scotland’s restaurateurs assemble to see who has won the most prestigious awards in the Scottish catering industry.
Now in their fifth year, the awards were founded to recognise the huge range of talent working in the kitchens and dining rooms of Scotland’s restaurants.
From casual bistros to world class restaurants that attract visitors from overseas, Scotland’s restaurant industry is undergoing something of a revolution and the Scottish Restaurant Awards are designed to celebrate all that hard work.
So, who is in the running? There were over 4000 nominations this year and the judging panel, composed of people who work in and with the catering industry, had the tough job of whittling that number down to a shortlist of four or less entrants for each award.
Those restaurants were then visited by the judge in each category on a mystery diner basis. On the basis of those visits, the winner was then chosen at a long and involved final meeting of the judging panel.
These are your runners and riders at tonight’s award ceremony.
Best Italian Restaurant of the Year
Cucina at Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh
Italian Caffe, Glasgow
Osteria, North Berwick
Best Indian Restaurant of the Year
Mithas, Edinburgh
Mother India, Edinburgh
Punjabi Tadka, East Kilbride
Best Oriental Restaurant of the Year
Nahm-Jim, Fife
Opium, Glasgow
Yorokobi by CJ, Aberdeen
Best Family Friendly Restaurant of the Year
Cruize, Auchrannie Resort, Isle of Arran
Di Maggios, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow
Room, Largs
Chef of the Year
Winner will be announced at the event
Most Innovative Restaurant of the Year
Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
Restaurant Mark Greenaway, Edinburgh
Best Pub Grub of the Year
Caley Sample Rooms, Edinburgh
Cock & Bull, Aberdeen
The Fox & Hounds, Houston
The Sun Inn, Edinburgh
Best Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Airds Hotel, Argyll
Chez Roux – Greywalls, Gullane
The Albannach, Lochinver
Best Customer Service of the Year
29 – The Grill at the Square, Glasgow
EH15, Edinburgh
The Scottish Café & Restaurant, Edinburgh
Best Rural Restaurant of the Year
Braidwoods, Dalry
Gordon’s Restaurant, Angus
The Whitehouse, Argyll
Best Takeaway Restaurant of the Year
Dining In, Bearsden
Mhor Fish, Perthshire
The Wee Hurrie, Troon
Zen Kitchen, Edinburgh
Best Seafood Restaurant of the Year
Café Fish, Edinburgh
Crabshakk, Glasgow
Mhor Fish, Perthshire
Newcomer of the Year
Barolo Grill, Glasgow
Kanpai Sushi, Edinburgh
The Honours, Edinburgh
Restaurant of the Year
Winner will be announced at the event