FOOD & DR INK
CAMBRIDGE RESTAURANTS TRIUMPH AT DELIVEROO RESTAURANT AWARDS 2020
year. There were some incredible restaurants nominated this year who we want to thank for doing their bit too, along with our amazing staff and loyal customers.” Deliveroo founder and CEOWill Shu said: “This has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging years the restaurant sector has ever faced. Yet in the face of huge uncertainty, we have been inspired by the way restaurants across the UK and Ireland have stepped up and gone the extra mile to support their local communities, while working tirelessly to keep their own businesses going. From providing free meals to hospital staff working on the front line, to delivering meals to vulnerable people, and going above and beyond to protect their staff – we want to recognise and say thank you to our small and independent restaurant partners.” Each of the award winners will receive support from Deliveroo to help them grow their business and give back to their customers. You can find the full list of award winners on the website. deliveroorestaurantawards.com
restaurants and cement its status as an esteemed Cambridge establishment. But it was Cambridge newbie The Athenian that was the real star of the show, managing to take home the coveted Restaurant of the Year award, which was decided by a celebrity panel of judges that included TV presenter and DJ Maya Jama, broadcaster and DJ Vogue Williams, Celebrity MasterChef champion Riyadh Khalaf and Deliveroo CEOWill Shu. Founded by two Londoners born and raised in Athens and Cyprus, The Athenian started off as a small street food venture serving souvlaki. Its 40% plant-based menu and fresh, authentic food quickly earned a cult following, allowing an expansion to seven more locations – including here in Cambridge. And that wasn’t all: The Athenian also scooped up the award for best Deliveroo Editions restaurant. Tim Vasilakis and Neo Christodoulou, founders of The Athenian, said: “We are so humbled to have won Deliveroo’s Restaurant of the Year award, after what has been an especially challenging but rewarding
Although it may come as no shock to local foodies, Deliveroo’s inaugural Restaurant Awards saw several of Cambridge’s restaurants adorned with accolades. The awards took on a special significance in 2020, celebrating the hard work and talent of restaurant partners who have endured an extremely tough year. The 2020 awards ceremony took place as a live event on Twitter, with over 400,000 votes cast over the course of the competition to select winners across 18 different award categories. The British and Irish public showed their support for family-run independents, high-street favourites and even grocery stores offering on-demand essentials. The award categories, which ranged from Best Indian and Best Family Restaurant to Best Eco-Friendly and Best Vegan Offering, reflected both traditional tastes and the latest trends in the restaurant industry. BBQ joint Smokeworks, which has two Cambridge locations, was crowned the UK’s Best Family Restaurant. Local residents voted in droves to help see off five other shortlisted
IMAGES (Clockwise from top left) Smokeworks BBQ pulled pork burger with melted cheese and sliced pickles; The Athenian pork souvlaki with fries and salad; Smokeworks tray with BBQ pork ribs, chicken wings, BBQ corn with butter and paprika salt, dill pickles and fries; and vegan courgette fritters with Athenian dip
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