The owners of a Derby restaurant which scooped top spot in last year’s Food and Drink Awards are looking forward to defending their crown after nominations opened for 2023’s competition.
Claire and Simon Bates, who run The Dining Room at 121, in Friar Gate, beat off a host of top names to win the prestigious Restaurant of the Year title in the awards, which are run by Marketing Derby.
They beat The Catch @ The Cow in Dalbury Lees and Morley Hayes, in Morley, on their way to victory, having made a strong impression on judges with their menu of classically contemporary dishes.
The award win capped a successful few years for the couple, who set up the restaurant in premises which were home for many years to the Friar Tuck Inn Steakhouse, opposite to St Werburgh’s Church.
Kilburn-born Simon was formerly the chef at Blacksmith’s Loft and The Wonky Table, both in Sadler Gate, before setting up The Dining Room with Claire.
Since then it has built a strong reputation with city diners, thanks to the quality of its menu – which is virtually all gluten-free – and the close attention to detail, courtesy of the restaurant being styled as an intimate 24-seater venue.
Claire said: “Simon and I were thrilled to win the award last year, especially in the face of some tough competition from two very well-established and well-known restaurants.
“We had been trading for three years but winning the award helped to put us and our food on the map and resulted in plenty of interest and new customers seeking us out.
“Not only have we just celebrated our fourth anniversary, we fully intend to enter the competition this year, because it’s such a showcase of the best dining experiences offering the best local produce in Derbyshire.”
Simon added: “It’s no secret that our sector is facing some serious challenges at the moment, so the awards are a
timely reminder of how hard everyone in our industry is working to ensure local food-lovers continue to have a wide variety of quality venues to choose from.
“Last year’s award has helped us to build a reputation in the city that we’re very proud of, especially since we also go to great lengths to ensure that our food is inclusive for people who on a gluten-free diet, who can all-too-often be left with limited options.”
This year’s awards were launched on Friday June 23 with organisers looking for the crème de la crème of Derby and Derbyshire restaurants, cafes and other food outlets, with other titles up for grabs including Excellence in Customer Service, Most Family-Friendly and Best Overall Experience.
To find out more visit www.thediningroom121.co.uk
