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BBC - Stoke and Staffordshire Features - Taste of Staffordshire

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29 November 2009
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Staffordshire is finger licking good

In Staffordshire... you're spoilt for choice

With a vast range of curry houses, chippies, tea shops, plus classy restaurants & bistros, Staffordshire can tickle your taste buds!
The Taste of Staffordshire points out some of the best.

(See Best Eateries)

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Taste of Staffordshire
More information about the whole competition

Food
Our tribute to local produce

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What do you think of food in the county? Send us your opinion...

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'A Taste of Staffordshire' is a competition that was set up with the help of Staffordshire Tourism at the end of the 1990s to find the best food in Staffordshire.

This annual competition aims to raise the standards of local food and drink in restaurants, pubs, bistros and tea shops by highlighting the very best cuisine that the county has to offer.

Listen to the report - Taste of Staffs
BBC Stoke's Janine Machin found out more about how the county's food-places can enter the competition
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A couple of notable mentions from past competitions must go to a multiple award-winning Indian restaurant in Stoke and a south Staffordshire cheese that knocked all the Cheshires and Gloucesters for six.

Exotic flavours from the East
Naan breads from our local curry houses are closing in behind oatcakes as the most popular taste of Staffordshire.

One restaurant in particular, 'The Passion of India at The Elms' is getting used to winning awards.

In 2001, the restaurant in Stoke-on-Trent was runner up in the awards. But there is no stopping it now, as it regularly features in the Staffordshire 'Ethnic Restaurant of the Year' award.

The accolades don't stop there however, as the curry house has also been awarded the much sought after AA rosette for culinary excellence!

Say cheese
Our neighbours in Cheshire had better beware... Staffordshire cheese is now beginning to make the headlines.

In fact, at the cheese 'Oscars', a goat's cheese from south Staffordshire walked away with the Supreme Champion prize.

Innes Button Natural, made at Highlands Farm Dairy in Tamworth was described by the judges as "perfection itself"!

The cheese is now sold at all the famous food courts such as Harvey Nichols and Fortnum and Mason.

You can find a comprehensive list of all the prize winners - restaurants and foods alike - by visiting the Taste of Staffordshire website
Worth a taster, we think...

Tough being a judge
Spare a thought for the AA inspectors. These are the men and women who apart from their other duties travelling the country for the AA, also judge 'The Taste of Staffordshire' competition.

They have the thankless task of staying in some of the best hotels and eating in some of the finest restaurants in the country. It's a tough job but someone's got to do it...

However, we're assured it's not all glamour. At the end of the day, they still might have a couple of hours drive home, a report to write up before bedtime and last of all, sleepless nights thinking about how they're going to burn off all those calories!

Boost to Staffordshire
'The Taste of Staffordshire' tastings take place over a six month period and the competition also recognises those places who take special care to use local ingredients for their menus.

The hope is that the competition will boost the local economy by encouraging more visitors to discover some of the distinctive flavours that the county has to offer.

"Food-tourism is becoming an increasingly popular concept," says organiser Sheila Penfold.

"Even the British Tourist Authority is looking at ways to highlight the superb range of food and drink that now exists in all parts of the country."

Finally, why not check out some of this year’s prize winning eateries and decide for yourself. Or maybe you know of an eaterie that is a bit of a hidden gem.

Either way, be sure to let us know.
Email to us your thoughts on the food - both shops and restaurants that Staffordshire has to offer. Bon appetite!

Previous winners (2004)

Restaurants of the Year (large = over 40 covers)
The Four Seasons Restaurant , Swinfen Hall Hotel, near Lichfield
No.1 King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme
La Dolce Vita, Stone
Highly commended:
The Dial Bar Restaurant, Burton upon Trent

Restaurants of the Year (small = 40 covers and under)
Restaurant Gilmore , Beamhurst, near Uttoxeter Cottage Delight at No. 64, Leek
Manners Brasserie & Restaurant, Whitmore, near Newcastle-under-Lyme

Ethnic Restaurants of the Year
Mango Tree , Stonnall
The Elms Restaurant, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent
Shabab Restaurant, Cannock

Brasseries of the Year
Brasserie at The Swan Hotel, Stafford
The Yew Tree Country Inn, Ranton
The Fifth on Fourth, Kidsgrove

Pub of the Year
The Meynell Ingram Arms , Hoar Cross
The Burnt Gate Inn, Anslow, Burton upon Trent
The Plough Inn at Woodseaves
Highly commended:
The Bell Inn, Stretton, near Brewood
The Dog & Partridge Country Inn, Swinscoe

Visitor Attractions of the Year
Weston Park House, Weston under Lizard
Josiah's Bistro, Wedgwood Visitor Centre, Barlaston
Country Kitchen, Essington Fruit Farm

Tea Shops of the Year
Greystones 17th Century Tea Room, Leek
The Ramblers' Retreat, Alton
Highly commended:
Expressions Tea Rooms, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Roaches Tea Room, Upper Hulme, near Leek

Best Staffordshire Breakfasts
Roaches Hall, Upper Hulme, Leek
Graythwaite Guest House, Newcastle-under-Lyme
New Hayes Farm, Butterton, Stoke-on-Trent
Highly Commended:
Amerton Farm, Stowe-by-Chartley, Stafford

Warmest welcome
Sheila's Farmhouse Tearooms, Rushton Spencer

Children's choice
Country Kitchen, Essington Fruit Farm

The NFU Awards for Best Use of Local Produce
The Ramblers’ Retreat, Alton
The Mainwaring Arms, Whitmore
The Meynell Ingram Arms, Hoar Cross
Highly Commended:
The Yew Tree Country Inn, Ranton

More food!
We just can't stop talking about food....

Cheese on BBC Radio Stoke
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Reporter Liz Roberts went to Newhouse Farm, Acton in Newcastle, to see the making of "Staffordshire Organic" made by hand by Dave Deville. In four parts
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