Best of Italian food and drink on show
THE cream of the Italian food and drink industry was celebrated at the Scottish Italian Awards in Glasgow last night.
The top prize, best restaurant, was won by Osteria in North Berwick after more than 80,000 public votes were counted – to create a list of 85 businesses representing the best of Italian hospitality north of the Border.
Last night’s fifth annual event at the Glasgow Hilton, hosted by radio presenter Des Clarke, saw guests including celebrity chef Aldo Zilli in attendance.
Pizza Posto in Edinburgh won best pizza, while the Scottish Italian chef of the year was named as Ashley Rainbow, for the second year running, representing Little Italy at Pizzeria Il Fiume in Dumfries.
There was a special tribute to celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio, who died last week, as he was a recipient of the Ambassador Award.
Meanwhile, Glasgow restaurants scooped top prizes in several categories as awards for wine, pasta, pizza, fish and chips and ice-cream were presented.
Mediterraneo, in the Merchant City, won best pasta award, while west end restaurant, La Lanterna, took the best newcomer prize with Celino’s in Partick the runner-up.
City-centre café, SinglEnd, won the healthy dish of the year award.
Zilli, one of the judges, said: “Italian communities across the UK are a vital part of the hospitality industry.”