A night to remember at Yeo Valley HQ with fine dining, celebrations and Tin and Thyme winning Best Food Blog in the Food Awards 2016.
Food Awards 2016
Well, I’ve only gone and done it! Much to my huge astonishment I found on Monday night that I’d won the Best Food Blogger in the Food Awards 2016. Bowled over is an understatement. I was so convinced I wouldn’t win that when Tin and Thyme was announced as the winner, I didn’t properly register it.
For those not in the know, the Food Reader Awards is an annual celebration of food in the UK’s South West region. Salt Media and its widely read Food magazine initiated the event five years ago in order to celebrate good food.
Winning is a prestigious accolade for food people in the South West, comprising Gloucester, Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and of course Cornwall. There are thirteen categories in total, including best food blog. The Food Awards occasion itself is an event I’ve long wanted to attend and this year I got my chance.
I wasn’t aware, initially, that I’d been nominated for the award. It wasn’t until Tin and Thyme got through to the Food Awards shortlist that this fact impinged itself on my consciousness. A second round of voting took me through to the finals. Then Salt Media invited me up to Yeo Valley HQ for an evening of fine dining, people watching and the grand unveilings.
Fine Dining at Yeo Valley
We started proceedings with a glass (or two) of Knighton Cornish sparkling wine and fabulous canapΓ©s from Bioaqua and Homewood. We then sat down to a four course meal made with local produce and matched with local beers and ciders.
I was rather taken with the Frobishers Sparkling Ginger, which was nice and fiery and meant I didn’t indulge in more alcohol than was good for me. With well over a hundred guests, there were only seven vegetarians present, but the Yeo Valley chefs did us proud.
Tin and Thyme Wins Best Food Blogger 2016
No sooner had we finished our starters than the Best Food Blogger 2016 was announced. Tin and Thyme was a finalist along with Veggie Desserts and Eating Exeter. I’d been theorising to CT that our table, which was the furthest from the stage, couldn’t possibly have any winners. How wrong I was.
I was even more surprised by this win than I was by getting my cashew nut butter brownies published in the Cranks Bible.
Off I stumbled up the aisles to the stage, in a complete daze. I remember shaking hands with Jo Rees and Michael Caines MBE, who presented me with my rather fabulous wooden plaque come chopping board. Rest assured I will never draw a knife across its surface.
I’ve no idea what I said, but CT assures me I didn’t make a complete fool of myself. Michael Caines was himself a winner that night. Needless to say, I didn’t get to reciprocate by presenting him with his chopping board for Best Food Hero. One can but dream.
Food Awards 2016: Cornish Wins
Cornwall gave a very good account of itself on the night (hooray!) and won best: Food Cafe, Cookery School, Wine List, Farm Shop, Restaurant, Hotel, Foodie Pub and weirdly, food blogger. For the complete list of winners and grand finalists head to the Food Awards.
Here’s to an excellent 2016 for all food lovers and readers of this blog. Thanks to everyone who voted for me. Also to Salt Media, Yeo Valley and all the sponsors for organising such a splendid event. I may not yet be part of the stretch limo jet set, but my rates are very reasonable π
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you’ve ever attended a similar event or been a food awards winner, Iβd love to hear about it in the comments below. Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
For more delicious and nutritious recipes follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. And donβt forget to SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter.
If youβd like see a few more events I’ve attended, both in the South West and further afield, follow the link and youβll find I have a few of them.
Top photo and the one of the dining area courtesy of Food Reader Awards / Guy Harrop Photography
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Congratulations! I’m a bit late to this party, but all the same — well done! I just put up a post about blogging, and I hope you’ll read it and comment about your thoughts on the subject. I mean, since you ARE an award winning blogger and all! AND I LOVE that cutting board!
Choclette says
Thanks Jean, the best people are often late to parties π I shall head on over now.
Kavey says
How wonderful! Huge well done and congratulations!
Choclette says
Hey, thanks Kavey. It was a night to remember.
lesley says
So pleased for you – always good to see a fellow blogger do well.
Choclette says
Ah, thanks very much Lesley, that’s kind. It was a much needed boost.
Rachel says
Congratulations! Well deserved π
Choclette says
Thank you very much Rachel π
Lindy says
Well done- very well deserved!
Choclette says
Thanks very much Lindy π
Trudy McNicholas says
Hello Nicette! 36years since I last saw you and you look just the same. Congratulations on your award, your blog and recipes look great, I will be following you from now on, Trudy x
Choclette says
Aghhhh, 36 yrs? How does that happen? What a lovely surprise to hear from you. What are you up to these days and in what part of the country?
Trudy McNicholas says
I’m in Leicestershire now, lived in London for quite a few years before that. Family are all still in Cornwall though. Married, 4 children, working on a neonatal unit. I’m so excited to find you, are you still around Pensilva? I’m on Facebook x
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
Well done on your wonderful achievement, well deserved! What a lovely reminder you have there too in that lovely chopping board.
Choclette says
Thanks very much Lucy and a chopping board definitely beats a bit of paper π
Sarah says
Well done and what a brilliant start to 2016! Where are you going to keep your award? Hehe.
Choclette says
Thanks Sarah, great start indeed. I still have no idea where I’m going to keep it!!!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Congratulations!!!!! So proud of you, Choclette.
Choclette says
Ah, thank you Angie, that’s very kind of you to say π
Katharine says
Hearty congratulations! A great honour and absolutely well-deserved, fantastic!
Choclette says
Thank you very much Katharine, that’s kind of you.
Phil in the Kitchen says
Excellent news – well done. The time I’ve spent in the South West in the last few years has been blessed with superb food and so this is a very fine award to win. Richly deserved, of course.
Choclette says
Thanks very much Phil, much appreciated. Food down here has come on tremendously in the last decade or so.
Kate | The Veg Space says
Very well deserved Choclette, so pleased for you! And it sounds like the awards evening was lots of fun too… stunning food!
Choclette says
It was all rather wonderful Kate. The best blog category was announced just after the starter, so I was able to revel in the rest of the evening.
Elizabeth says
A very big heartfelt congratulations to you! Well deserved! π
Choclette says
Thank you so much Elizabeth. To say I was utterly surprised is an understatement, but I was. of course, also delighted.
Janice says
Not before time, or should that be thyme? So pleased that your wonderful blog has got the recognition it deserves.
Choclette says
Thyme of course Janice. Thank you so much and for all your support too.
Made With Pink says
Congrtulations Choclette! Very well deserved. The food you ate looked delicious as well. Is that a rhubarb baked Alaska??
Choclette says
Thanks Andrea. The Alaska was fabulous, but filled with honey ice-cream. The rhubarb (poached in ginger) was just on the outside.
Rachel Cotterill says
I’m so happy for you, well done, totally well deserved π And I’m delighted to see that Kate was on the shortlist, too — it makes me think I should probably try out the third one who I hadn’t heard of!
Choclette says
Thanks very much Rachel. The vegetarians blogs were certainly in the majority, which makes a very pleasant change π
Belinda says
Great News for you Nicette and for Cornwall, and all chocolate lovers wherever they are!! x
Choclette says
Thank you so much Belinda, apart from being immensely pleased for myself and Cornwall, it was really nice to have a vegetarian blog win.
Susan says
Well done! This is wonderful news! Keep at it, dearie!
Choclette says
Thank you Susan, not sure I can keep it up, but I’ll try π
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen says
I am so happy for you!! So well deserved xxxx
Choclette says
Thank you lovely Alida, that’s very kind of you π
Dom says
bloody genius and more than well deserved xxxx
Choclette says
Ah thanks Dom, you know just what to say to put a big smile on my face π
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Yay well done Choclette, that’s fab news! Very well done π
Choclette says
Thanks Becca, I really didn’t believe it was going to happen.
Elaine Sarchet says
Great job! Your smile says it all!!
Choclette says
Ah, thank you Elaine, how lovely of you to comment. I am only treading in the footsteps of your gorgeous daughter.
Camilla says
Super well done Choclette and what an amazing evening you had:-) Enjoy you time on Cloud 9:-)
Choclette says
Thank you Camilla, it’s really just what I needed and I’m still buzzing now.
Jenny Habbal says
This is so brilliant! I am very impressed! So glad for you and sending loads of congratulations and love. xx
Choclette says
Thank you so much Jenny, I’m still feeling surprised π
Lesley says
Well done you. I am a very proud auntie! I can fully appreciate the amount of work that goes into your blog and of course all that dreadful food testing of delicious goodies. But hey, somebody’s got to do it! x
Choclette says
Haha Lesley, now that’s where CT comes into his own π Thank you, I still can’t quite believe it really happened.
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe says
Congratulations on your award – most well deserved – and fantastic that a vegetarian blog is getting the limelight – the meal sounds great
Choclette says
Thanks Johanna. It’s so good a vegetarian blog won. As I said in the post their were only seven vegetarians at the meal, so if it helps to raise the profile, so much the better.
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Wow I haven’t heard of this but congrats! That’s a great achievement.
Choclette says
Thanks Matt. They are big in the South West of England, but I’m sure many won’t every have heard of them – until now π
Susan says
Oh Hurray! Go Choclette Go! Llongyfarchiadau – congratulations from North Wales! Brilliant and very well deserved. We are pouring a celebratory cup of tea from the orange teapot in your honour. xx
Choclette says
Hurray for tea and teapots. We’re raising a cup with you. Thank you, If it wasn’t for the photo, I’d reckon I’d dreamt the whole thing.
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Woohoo! Huge congratulations Choclette. So well deserved and fantastically exciting for you. An accolade indeed…… and one for which you should be very proud xx
Choclette says
Thanks so much Kate. I am basking a little in the sunshine at the moment π
Kellie@foodtoglow says
Many congratulations on your sparkling win! It sounds like the only one who was surprised was you π Well done xx
Choclette says
Haha, quite possibly Kellie. Thank you. I’m still feeling surprised, but I expect I’ll get used to it at some point π
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
WOW congratulations. You must be thrilled!! What a great award….and an inspiration to us all!!
Choclette says
Thank you Gloria, that’s very kind. I am truly thrilled and humbled too.
Choclette says
Thank you – so not used to being a cool dude π
Pinky boots says
Congrats! I love your email which aways signals a sneaky break!
Choclette says
Haha, I’m very glad to be of service π And thanks very much for your good wishes.
Lucy Parissi says
What amazing news – congratulations on winning and well deserved!
Choclette says
Thanks Lucy, it’s fab news indeed. To say I was surprised was an understatement!
Henk Kooiman says
Well done Choclette ! Everybody loves you and your blog. Keep up the good work and best wishes for the future.
Choclette says
Thank you very much Henk. I must say it was rather a surprise, but a very nice one.
Julie Tift says
Many congratulations, rest assured that they would not have awarded it to you if you had not deserved it. You should feel very proud of yourself.
Choclette says
Gosh thank you Julie. I’m not really used to bragging, but I really am excited to have received this.
William Gould says
Brilliant! Well done!
Choclette says
Thanks very much William. This award seems to be bringing a lot of folk out of the woodwork π
Sophia @Veggies Dont Bite says
That’s so great! Congrats!
Choclette says
Thanks Sophia, it’s all very exciting.
Gill says
Congratulations!
Choclette says
Thank you very much Gill. Everyone is being very kind.
Agata says
Well done and huge congratulations! The award itself looks so stunning; love the chunky board.
Choclette says
Thank you Agata, the board is something a bit different and I love it too.
Jean says
Congratulations, an award well deserved!
Choclette says
Thank you very much Jean, it makes all this blogging malarky seem worthwhile π
shaheen says
I am genuinely super super excited for you and so glad yourself and CT had a good night, how funny being the furthest table away and then actually being announced as the winner. The Award is awesome, just what any foodie blogger would love – and yes, never shall a knife go near it. Your proud friend Shaheen x
Choclette says
Thank you so much Shaheen. that’s such a lovely thing to write and I know it’s heartfelt too. Was even more convinced I’d not be the winner when I found I was sitting so far away from the action.
Keep Calm and Fanny On says
Yahoo! Well done. Looks like a fantastic night, live the chopping board trophy!
Rebecca says
Congratulations!
Choclette says
Thanks Rebecca. Very nicely timed for my upcoming 7th blog anniversary π
Choclette says
Thank you. Three days on and I’m still smiling. This is my first ever chopping board that is for decorative purposes only π
Michelle says
Well done Nicette – and well deserved of course!
Choclette says
Thanks very much Michelle – onwards and upwards π