Your YEP backs local dining scene with 10th annual awards

The awards, which are now into their 10th year, now garner hundreds of nominations each year - a reflection of just how much the local dining scene has expanded.

So successful has been the brand that it has now been extended to include a rural category, taking in destination pubs and restaurants which are beyond the Leeds boundary.

Ben Warren is general manager of Angelica and Crafthouse, both of which have featured heavily on our awards roster over the years, with Crafthouse winning Best Service in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Overall Winner in 2014, Best British 2015 and Best City Centre 2017. He said: “Its great to see the YEP once again showing its support for local businesses and the growing dining industry, these awards are invaluable in recognising the passion and talent that flows through the cities many great venues.”

John Dammone, co-owner of Salvo’s, Headingley, which marked its 40th anniversary last year, said: “The Oliver awards are 10 this year but the informative restaurant reviews, which spawned the awards, have been appearing in the Yorkshire Evening Post for well over 40 years. In an era before social media and the internet diners used to regularly look out for the weekly column to find out which were the culinary hot spots on the restaurant scene.

“Looking through the Salvo’s Archives, I have found no fewer than 12 Oliver reviews form over the decades. The first one in 1976 makes interesting reading and the following line brought a smile to my face: ‘The total bill for three including VAT was £7.21’

He added: “Of course, fast forward 40 plus years and there is now a mind-boggling array of eateries offering a wealth of different cuisines to the discerning diners of Leeds. This explosion has helped cement the reputation of Leeds as one of the best culinary hotspots in the country.

“The Oliver Awards are a wonderful opportunity for the industry to get together and applaud the talent that has made the Leeds Dining out scene the jewel that it is today.”

Nominations for the awards are open now and close on November 23. We encourage you to enter, whether you are a diner or a restaurant owner/worker.

Simply navigate to our dedicated website: www.oliverawards.co.uk or email [email protected].