THE best of the county's food and drink venues was celebrated once more as Taste Cheshire marked its 21st anniversary at Chester Racecourse with a gala awards ceremony.

More than 400 people from across Cheshire’s Food, drink, and hospitality industries gathered to honour the best and brightest in the business.

The evening was hosted by Tori Hayes from Taste Cheshire and Izzy Grey from We Love Good Times and music came from The EverAfters, a local duo.

Along with the trophies the evening featured a delicious three-course meal provided by Horseradish Catering.

All of the awards were sponsored by local businesses who are passionate about supporting local food and drink.

There were some surprises and newcomers winning at the awards ceremony, as well as some businesses who have won multiple awards across the years. Here is a list of the winners in each category:

Local Produce in a Menu, sponsored by City Framers

  • Gold: The Chester Fields
  • Silver: Little Tap, Tarporley
  • Bronze: The Chefs Table

Cheshire Bar, sponsored by WLGT

  • Gold: Vandal, Warrington
  • Silver: Little Tap, Tarporley
  • Bronze: Bar Lounge

Event Venue, sponsored by The Brit Fest UK

  • Gold: Storyhouse, Chester
  • Silver: Opera Grill
  • Bronze: The Chester Fields

Green Award for Sustainability, sponsored by The Green Expo

  • Gold: Chester Zoo
  • Silver: Twenty Eight
  • Bronze: Groobarbs Wild Farm, High Legh

Best Casual Eatery, sponsored by Scope Out Cheshire

  • Gold: The Naughty Badger Bistro, Chester
  • Silver: New Chester Market
  • Bronze: Death By Tacos, Chester

Local Produce Shop, sponsored by Taste Cheshire

  • Gold: The Hollies Farm Shop
  • Silver: The Lambing Shed
  • Bronze: Longman's Farm Shop, Nantwich

Best Cheshire Pub, sponsored by Harlech Food Service

  • Gold: Fox & Barrel, Cotebrook
  • Silver: The Henry Potts, Chester
  • Bronze: The White Horse, Churton

Family Friendly Venue, sponsored by FB Sports and Clothing

  • Gold: Ring O’ Bells, Christleton
  • Silver: Hickory’s Smokehouse, Chester
  • Bronze: Ginger Monkey No. 31

Sausage of the Festival, sponsored by NoWFOOD

  • Champion: David Joinson Quality Meats

Food Producer, sponsored by Horseradish Catering

  • Gold: The Weston Biltong Co.
  • Silver: Groobox. High Legh
  • Bronze: The Bear Bakery, Chester

Drink Producer, sponsored by Secret Singles

  • Gold: Weetwood Brewery and Distillery
  • Silver: Lost Barn Coffee
  • Bronze: Three Wrens Gin

Accommodation Award, sponsored by Chester Boutique

  • Gold: Hotel Indigo, Chester
  • Silver: The Chester Grosvenor
  • Bronze: The Pheasant Inn, Burwardsley

Newcomer, sponsored by Morgan's Hair and Beauty

  • Gold: Twenty Eight
  • Silver: The White Horse, Churton
  • Bronze: Northgates, Chester

Small Restaurant, sponsored by The Hospitality Hero

  • Gold: Poco, Hoole
  • Silver: Upstairs at the Grill, Chester
  • Bronze: Porta, Chester

Large Restaurant, sponsored by Harlech Food Service

  • Gold: Groobarbs Field Kitchen, High Legh
  • Silver: Opera Grill
  • Bronze: Chez Jules

Taste Cheshire CEO Briony Wilson said, “We are so proud to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards.

"The awards are a chance to recognise the incredible talent and dedication of the people who work in our industry. We are truly grateful to our sponsors and to everyone who voted in this year’s awards.

"Congratulations to all of the winners!”

The Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards are the only publicly voted awards of their kind in Cheshire. The awards are designed to celebrate the best of the county’s food and drink scene, from restaurants and pubs to producers and suppliers.

The awards are also a chance to raise awareness of the importance of supporting local food and drink businesses.

See a gallery of photos taken from the event above, by Simon Warburton.