Local restaurants scoop food awards

SOUTH Wales restaurants were among the big winners at the Food Awards Wales 2019, which were decided by public vote.

Cardiff eateries Anna-Loka, I Giardini Di Sorrento and Deli Fuego scooped the top prizes for best vegetarian, best Italian and best Mediterranean respectively.

The Brook Bistro in Whitchurch was crowned cafe of the year, while Heaneys won the “best of Cardiff” award and Bwydiful won “best street food of Cardiff”.

Outside the capital, Bridgend’s Poco won best world cuisine, Basil & Rusty’s Ice Cream in Caerphilly scooped dessert outlet of the year, and there was double delight for Aberdare – with Penaluna’s Famous Fish and Chips winning best seafood and Joe’s Fish Bar winning the takeaway of the year category.

The Welsh Shortbread Company, of Bridgend, gained the Welsh produce of the year award, Cobbles Kitchen in Ogmore-by-Sea won the regional prize for south-east Wales’ restaurant of the year, while Pontypridd’s Barry Sidings Cafe was named south-east Wales’ regional cafe of the year.

The awards ceremony was held at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday. A spokesman said: “The awards celebrated everything food related and provided a platform to thank those who provide us with portable dishes, the freshest of ingredients as well as those who help us explore new flavours.”