Norfolk food and drink awards 2024 winners announced

The cream of the crop were recognised last night at the Norfolk magazine Food and Drink Awards, in association with the Eastern Daily Press. 

Nearly 240 guests gathered at Caistor Hall to celebrate all that’s great about our county’s food and drink sector, and discover who had taken the top spots across the 12 categories - the full list of winners can be found below.

Winners across 12 categories were recognised at the awards (Image: Matthew Potter Photographer and Videographer) Hospitality is a brutal, exacting, relentless industry. And it is battered by external influences that the businesses themselves have no or very little control over. 

And yet, these awards show that it is not only alive but thriving. Not only open but with bookings stretching well into the new year. Not only being nominated for awards but winning them as well. 

And for all its challenges, this industry is also incredibly exciting. How many people get to go to work with the sole intention of making someone smile? What these businesses and individuals achieve through creativity, innovation and sheer hard work is very special. They bring joy to people’s lives. They add value to our existence. 

Guests at our awards celebration experienced this first hand, with a fun amuse bouche palate challenge to identify the ingredients – a bottle of prosecco going to the winner. This was followed by a three-course meal, laughs a plenty thanks to Martin Westgate of Hooma Comedy, and a DJ to continue the celebrations into the evening.

The evening also included a tribute to a giant of this sector in Norwich, Norfolk and way beyond. Last year’s winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award, Richard Hughes, sadly passed away just a few weeks ago. 

Everyone at the awards has a great deal to thank him for – he showcased brilliance. And on top of all of the incredible things he did, he was a thoroughly decent chap who cared deeply about this industry, his customers and the people he worked with and mentored. He will never be forgotten and his work will live on. 

Anton Wimmer, from The Kings Head Bawburgh, received the Outstanding Achievement Award (Image: Matthew Potter Photographer and Videographer) A big thank you, as always, to our category sponsors, our beer supplier Woodfordes, our drinks supplier Booker/ Makro, and our wonderful judges, who managed – somehow – to find a little bit of spare time to dig through all the excellent entries – we take the process very seriously and we are very grateful for their time. 

For more details about the winners and finalists, don’t miss the special supplement in the Eastern Daily Press on Friday, September 20

For more information, visit norfolkfada.co.uk

The winners

Outstanding Achievement Award

Winner: Anton Wimmer – The Kings Head Bawburgh

Best Coffee Shop/Café 

Winner: Heydon Village Tea Room

Best Newcomer

Winner: The Steam Packet

Best Norfolk Producer

Sponsored by Jarrolds

Winner: Old Hall Farm

Chef of the Year

Sponsored by Motorvogue DS Store Norwich

Winner: Mark Poynton – Caistor Hall

Field to Fork

Sponsored by Hotel School at City College Norwich

Winner: Mrs Temple’s Cheese

Food/Drink Experience

Sponsored by Castlemeadow Care

Winner: Yalm

Food and Drink Retailer

Sponsored by Newman Refrigeration

Winner: Algy’s Farm Shop

Front of House Experience

Sponsored by Caistor Hall

Winner: Bishop’s Dining Room & Wine Bar

Street Food Vendor

Winner: The Bodega

Pub/Bar of the Year

Sponsored by The Gin Trap Inn

Winner: The Carpenters Arms

Restaurant of the Year

Sponsored by Benedicts

Winner: The Steam Packet