The Casual Dining Pub & Restaurant Awards 2018 finalists have been announced. The event will take place on Wednesday 21 February 2018 at the London Marriott.
The finalists are as follows:
New Casual Dining Concept of the Year (sponsored by Reynolds)
The winner will be either the first site for an independent operator or the first site of a new concept from a group. All concepts must have opened after 1 November 2016. Restaurant, pub and bar concepts are all eligible. Judges are looking for an innovative, unique and distinctive new concept with clear growth potential as a brand in the marketplace.
Shortlist:
Babel
Grand Pacific
Lockhouse
Tabun Kitchen
The Common Restaurant
The Vurger Co
Best New Pub / Bar Site (sponsored by Lucozade Ribena Suntory)
The winner will be a newly opened site of an established multi-site pub / bar brand. The new site must have opened to customers after 1st November 2016. Judges are looking for evidence of a successful roll out by opening a new site of an existing brand. They’ll be looking at how location, design, innovation and marketing around the launch has brought benefits to the brand and the local area by providing an excellent new pub or bar for customers.
Shortlist:
Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen - Ashton Lane, Glasgow
J D Wetherspoon - The Royal Victorian Pavilion, Ramsgate
Tank & Paddle (Novus Leisure) - Minster, London
The Alchemist - MediaCity UK, Manchester
Best New Restaurant Site (sponsored by Fentimans)
The winner will be a new opening from an established multi-site brand. The new site must have opened to customers after 1st November 2016. Judges are looking for evidence of a successful roll out by opening a new site of an existing brand. They’ll be looking at how location, design, innovation and marketing around the launch has bought benefits to the brand and the local area by providing a great new restaurant for customers.
Shortlist:
Belgo – Crowne Plaza, Kings Cross, London
Bistrot Pierre – Mumbles, Swansea
Hubbox - Bristol
KuPP - Oxford
Lussmanns Fish & Grill Restaurants - Tring
Zizzi - Bedford
Small Employer of the Year (under 20 sites) (sponsored by Commercial Kitchen)
The winner will be an operator brand with under 20 sites. Restaurant, pub and bar brands are all eligible. Judges are looking for evidence that demonstrates incredible staff retention, training, empowerment, progression and happiness amongst other things.
Shortlist:
Brewhouse and Kitchen
Dishoom
Flat Iron Steak
Framptons Cafe Bar and Kitchen
The Alchemist
Yummy Pub Co.
Large Employer of the Year (20 sites +)
The winner will be an operator brand with over 20 sites. Restaurant, pubs and bars brands are all eligible. Judges are looking for evidence that demonstrates incredible staff retention, training, empowerment, progression and happiness amongst other things.
Shortlist:
Bistrot Pierre
Casual Dining Group
Loungers (Lounge & Cosy Clubs)
PizzaExpress
Toby Carvery
YO!
Menu Innovation Award (sponsored by Essential Cuisine)
The winner of this category will be any casual dining operator, (pub or restaurant, independent or multi – site) that has launched a new menu since 1st November 2016. Judges are looking for evidence of an innovative new menu that has had a positive impact on the brands business.
Shortlist:
ASK Italian
Babel
Bella Italia
Bill’s Restaurants
Filmore & Union
Haché
Jamie‘s Italian
Las Iguanas
wagamama
Zizzi
Independent Pub of the Year (under 5 sites) (sponsored by Budweiser Budvar UK)
The winner of this category will be a pub or bar operator with under 5 sites. Judges are looking at commercial success and excellence across the board including innovation, staffing, design, marketing, menus and customer satisfaction.
Shortlist:
The Malt House - London
The OHH Pub Company - various locations
The Old Ale & Coffee House (Buff and Bear Saloons) - Salisbury
The Royal Oak - Marlow
Waxy O'Connor's - various locations
Independent Restaurant of the Year (under 5 sites) (sponsored by Casual Dining)
The winner of this category will be a restaurant brand with under 5 sites. Judges are looking at commercial success and excellence across the board including innovation, staffing, design, marketing, menus and customer satisfaction.
Shortlist:
Alston Bar & Beef - Glasgow
Arepa and Co - London
Framptons Cafe Bar and Kitchen - various locations
KuPP - various locations
Lupita Mexican Restaurants - various locations
The Chilli Pickle - Brighton
The Mayfair Chippy - London
Zerodegrees - various locations
Zoe's Ghana Kitchen - London
Multi-Site Pub Operator of the Year (sponsored by McCain)
The winner of this category will be a pub or bar operator with 6+ sites. Judges are looking at commercial success and excellence across the board including innovation, staffing, design, marketing, menus and customer satisfaction.
Shortlist:
All Bar One
Brewhouse and Kitchen
Chef & Brewer (Greene King)
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars
Hush Heath Estate
J D Wetherspoon
Red Mist Leisure
Redcomb Pubs Ltd
Yummy Pub Co.
Small Multi-Site Restaurant Brand of the Year (5-19 sites) (sponsored by Wing Yip)
The winner of this category will be a restaurant operator with 5 to 19 sites. Judges are looking at commercial success and excellence across the board including innovation, staffing, design, marketing, menus and customer satisfaction.
Shortlist:
Blackhouse
Flat Iron Steak
Haché
Hubbox
Koh Thai Tapas
Red's True Barbecue
The Cosy Club
The Stable
Large Multi-Site Restaurant Brand of the Year (20 Sites +) (sponsored by Coca-Cola European Partners)
The winner of this category will be a restaurant operator with 20 sites or more. Judges are looking at commercial success and overall excellence including innovation, staffing, design, marketing, menus and customer satisfaction.
Shortlist:
ASK Italian
Bella Italia
Bill‘s Restaurants
Bistrot Pierre
Harvester
Jamie's Italian
Las Iguanas
Pho
wagamama
YO!
Zizzi
Casual Dining Group of the Year (sponsored by Carlsberg)
All major restaurant and pub groups with multiple brands are shortlisted for this category. The winner is chosen by the judging panel. The winner of this category will be a group with at least three distinct multi-site brands. Judges are looking at commercial success and overall excellence including innovation, staffing, design, marketing, menus and customer satisfaction.
Shortlist:
Azzurri Group
Boparan Restaurant Group
Casual Dining Group
Greene King
Living Ventures
Mitchells & Butlers
Stonegate Pub Company
The Restaurant Group
Whitbread
