November 20, 2023 1.49 pm

Lincolnshire Food & Farming Excellence Awards 2023: The winners

Celebrating those who excel in our region and its thriving industry

Our host for the evening: John Marshall! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

By Ellis Karran Local News Reporter

Hundreds of Lincolnshire’s finest examples of dining and agriculture were brought together for the Lincolnshire Food & Farming Excellence Awards 2023, organised by MyLocal Lincolnshire, The Lincolnite and its publisher Stonebow Media.

More than 200 people gathered at The Engine Shed in Lincoln on Friday, November 17 to recognise and commemorate the tireless work of Lincolnshire’s agricultural experts and fine dining maestros over the last 12 months.

A total of 12 awards were handed out across a number of categories in the food and farming industry, varying from food and drink producers to restaurants and farm shops, as well as the eagerly anticipated Lincolnshire Chef of the Year. You can watch our video of the Chef of the Year competition on the MyLocal Play tab, either on your mobile app or the dedicated website.

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The event began with a Prosecco reception and a live performance from the Curious Theatre School, before our host for the evening — local radio royalty John Marshall — took to the stage on compare duties.

Awards were handed out between a delicious, locally-sourced three-course meal by award-winning caterers Salted Orange. For starter it was a seasonal leek and potato soup with chives and crisp onion, while the main course options were Revesby Estate venison pie with baby onions and colcannon potato, or a vegetable pot pie with champ potatoes.

For dessert, it was apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream, and after meals and awards were finished, the disco commenced!

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Katrina Burrill, Director at Stonebow Media, said: “Congratulations to each of the winners and finalists at the Lincolnshire Food & Farming Awards!

“Friday night was not just a celebration, but a showcase of the fantastic produce that Lincolnshire is renowned for.

“I, along with my colleagues at Stonebow Media and MyLocal, feel a deep sense of pride in supporting the businesses that bring Lincolnshire’s exceptional agricultural and culinary heritage to the forefront.

“The dedication to quality and sustainability evident in our local produce is truly inspiring.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors for their unwavering support. Your commitment plays a crucial role in highlighting and honouring the excellence of Lincolnshire’s food and farming sector.

“We are already looking forward to next year’s event, where we can once again celebrate the extraordinary produce and the people behind Lincolnshire’s esteemed food and farming sector.”

Our thanks go out to the sponsors of this event, without your support these ceremonies and celebrations cannot be possible. The sponsors for the Lincolnshire Food & Farming Excellence Awards 2023 were Barclays Eagle Labs, Duncan & Toplis, Masons, Visual Print & Design, Fizzco Projects, Sills & Betteridge and the event organisers, Stonebow Media & The Lincolnite.

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

You can check out and purchase more of the pictures from the night, captured by Steve Smailes Photography, here.

Below is a full list of the finalists and winners for their respective categories, and you can dive deeper into the stories of each individual winner on our MyLocal app or website.

Food Producer of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Alfred Enderby – Winner 2023
Cogglesford Watermill
Madz for cake
The Uplift Grazing

Drinks Producer of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Alvingham Coffee Roasters
Louth Distillery
Pheasantry Farms & Brewery
Seven Districts Coffee
Tipplemill Distillery – Winner 2023

Street Food / Takeaway of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Hungry Plaice
Mockingbird Street Food – Winner 2023
Roco BBQ
Slow Rise
Twisted

Farming Innovation Business of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire Farm schools
LJ Fairburn – Winner 2023
Noble Foods
Petsville Farm CIC
Stourton Estates Ltd

Sustainable Business of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

JRH Water Management
Hill Holt Wood
Lincolnshire Pork Co – Winner 2023
Mint Lane Cafe
Saga Robotics / Thorvald

Farm Shop / Market of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Fishers farm shop
Fulbeck Craft Centre
Holmes farm
Silver Apple Showroom
Vine House Farm – – Winner 2023

Restaurant of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Bottle & Glass Harby
Julianos Italian Restaurant Grantham
Lawsons Lincoln
San Pietro Restaurant Scunthorpe Winner 2023
The Tower Hotel / No.THIRTY8 Lincoln
Washingborough Hall Hotel

Pub / Bistro Food of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Bistro Bar and Kitchen
The Pig & Whistle at Healing Manor
The Plough, North Kyme – Winner 2023
The Queens Head Bar and Restaurant, Kirkby-la-Thorpe
The Sycamore, Lincoln

Bar / Pub of the Year (Wet Sales)

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Cognito Lincoln
Lincoln Jazz Café – Winner 2023
The Queens Head Bar and Restaurant
Vice & Co Lincoln

Cafe of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Colbournes’ Cafe Saxilby/Lincoln – Winner 2023
Little Lincoln
Monks Road Cafe Lincoln
Tasty Toast
The Oaks Lincoln

Future of Farming

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Billy Billings, G Lowry
Lizzy Wells, Riseholme Park Farm
Middle World Farms
Riley Taylor, R G Taylor & Sons – Winner 2023

Farm to Fork

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Gelston Lamb – Winner 2023
Lincolnshire Pork Co
Salted Orange
Uncle Henrys
W H Munton & Son – Mill Farm

Chef of the Year

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Barry Liversidge, The Queens Head Bar and Restaurant – Winner 2023
Darren Rogan, by Darren Rogan
Juliet Chadfield, Juliet’s Restaurant
Paul Hugill, Serendipity
Ross Leighton, Roco BBQ

5 hours ago

Lincoln Christmas Market weekend alternatives
Still an array of festive activities to enjoy despite the main market being cancelled

The stunning view atop Lincoln Castle's walls on the Illuminated Wall Walk. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

By Joseph Verney Local News Reporter

Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.

City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.

There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:

Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms

The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.

Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.

There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:

Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)

This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate

The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.

Lincoln Castle Illuminated

Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.

The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.

The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.

You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.

In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.

Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.

The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).

Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.

Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)

Winter Market at Lincoln Museum

Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.

There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.

For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.

Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.

Lincoln Ice Trail

Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.

There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.

In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.

The Travelling Historical Christmas Market

Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.

The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times:

Thursday, December 14 (12pm-9.30pm)
Friday, December 15 (10am-9.30pm)
Saturday, December 16 (10am-9.30pm)
Sunday, December 17 (10am-4pm)