Award shortlist for restaurant
NORTH Shields favourite The Staith House has been shortlisted in the 2017 Seafood Restaurant of the Year awards.
The popular eatery is a finalist for the second year running in the competition, which is out to find the best restaurants to cook and serve seafood dishes across the UK.
After narrowly missing out on the award to The Jetty in Dorset last year, the news that it has made the shortlist again has been met with delight by the team at the restaurant, who said: “We are hugely proud to be in the top five for the second year running.”
They added: “Amazing news – so, so proud of the team!”
The Staith House, which makes the most of its North Shields Fish Quay location with a changing menu reflecting daily and seasonal catches, first made an impression soon after it was opened in what was once the New Dolphin pub in 2013 by former Masterchef: The Professionals finalist John Calton and his wife Kimberley.
It has since picked up a growing number of awards, including one considered the Oscars of the catering world.
This Cateys Newcomer of the Year was awarded last year. It was won by Michelin-star chef Kenny Atkinson’s House of Tides on Newcastle Quayside the year before.
Now The Staith House is among the top five finalists in the competition, and its far-flung rivals are Ninth Wave on Isle of Mull; Rocksalt in Kent; The Idle Rocks in Cornwall and The Salt Room in Brighton.
The awards are made by Seafish – a body set up to support the seafood industry – and The Caterer magazine, which whittled down a shortlist following mystery dining visits and an expert judging session.
The chosen finalists have already demonstrated fine service and knowledge of fish and shellfish species. They are also seen as ambassadors for other restaurants.
Andy Gray, trade marketing manager for Seafish, said: “The Seafood Restaurant of the Year competition provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wide range of restaurants, pubs and cafés that are excelling in providing customers with top-quality fish and shellfish dining experiences.”
The winner of Seafood Restaurant of the Year will be announced in October.