Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Chesterfield Named as One of the UK’s Most Instagrammed Towns

Chesterfield has been named the 32nd most instagrammed town in the UK according to research by Cheaphotels4uk.

The travel website used Instagram to analyse where can you find the most picturesque towns in all of the UK.

It researched the photo sharing platform to find out which towns are the most Instagrammed, by examining how many times a post of every UK town had been shared on the site.

You can read the full results at https://cheaphotels4uk.com/travel-guide/best-towns-uk

Find out what is happening in Chesterfield on Instagram – Give us a follow here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Local Artisans Invited To Apply For Place At Chatsworth Country Fair

Producers based in Derbyshire are invited to showcase, promote and sell their products and services to a potential audience of around 70,000 people at Chatsworth Country Fair this summer – thanks to an exciting opportunity offered by the area’s official tourist board.

After a successful launch at last year’s event, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire (MPDD) is inviting local producers to apply for a place in the Inspired by the Peak District and Derbyshire Marketplace at one of England’s most spectacular annual outdoor celebrations.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said:

“We’re excited to offer this fantastic opportunity to a selection of producers based in Derbyshire, thanks to support from our ERDF project. Chatsworth Country Fair is widely regarded as the biggest and best event of its kind in the country – and offers a fantastic platform to reach a potential audience of thousands of people.

“Our Inspired by the Peak District & Derbyshire Marketplace provides a great opportunity to showcase your business, no matter how small, and whether you make fine food and drink, artwork or beautiful crafts, we’d like to encourage passionate local producers to apply for a place.”

Held at Chatsworth from 30 August – 1 September 2019, Chatsworth Country Fair showcases the best in traditional, British country pursuits, with spectacular showground entertainment, quality trade stands and fun for all the family.

MPDD is inviting producers based in Derbyshire to register an interest in exhibiting in the Inspired by the Peak District and Derbyshire Marketplace at the event, which will celebrate the fantastic variety of quality products made in the area.

The opportunity is open to small-to-medium-sized businesses – ranging from food and drink producers* to artists and craftspeople – and is part financially supported by the MPDD-led European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Growing and Developing the Visitor Economy in Derbyshire Project.

Businesses are asked to register an interest in exhibiting in the Marketplace by highlighting what they have to offer and why they would like to be selected, using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inspired-by-the-peak-district-derbyshire-marquee-at-chatsworth-country-fair-19-tickets-61157711361

Applications are open from 31 May – 28 June 2019. Successful applicants will be notified in early July 2019. Stalls provided to successful applicants will be subject to a charge of £100 plus VAT per business.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards

30 retailers make the shortlist for the 2019 Chesterfield Retail Awards

30 Chesterfield retailers are set to go head-to-head in the sixth annual Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, the awards will see shops, stores, barbers, clinics, market stalls and events battling it out to claim at least one of 15 titles.

In a record year for nominations, 17 businesses have been shortlisted for the first time in the prestigious Chesterfield Retail Awards, while three businesses – Geeks Headquarters Ltd, Specsavers and Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield – hope to defend their 2018 titles.

This year also sees the introduction of a brand new category – Best Town Centre Event, sponsored by Spire Radio – which is designed to recognise the contribution events make to both increased footfall and the vibrancy of Chesterfield.

The awards shortlist follows a lengthy nomination and judging process. All the shortlisted businesses will also battle it out for the coveted overall title of Retailer of the Year 2019, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire).

The winners of the awards will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony held at Casa Hotel on Wednesday 19 June.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “We were blown away by the amount of nominations in the awards this year; there were more than ever before, mirroring the year-on-year success of these popular awards. We now have a strong shortlist for the 2019 awards, which represents the town’s high-quality, varied retail scene. It promises to be an exciting evening at Casa Hotel next month.”

The businesses across the 13 categories shortlisted so far in this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards include:

 

Hair & Beauty Business of the Year

  • Belle Vie
  • Less than Zero Barbers
  • TAG Aesthetics

 

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year

  • DHC Countrywear
  • Dotique
  • Something Special Bridal

 

Home & Gifts Retailer of the Year

  • Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
  • Astra Designs
  • Etienne Curtains & Blinds

 

Food & Drink Retailer of the Year

  • Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce
  • Rate Good Brownie Boxes
  • R P Davidson Cheese Factor

 

Leisure Retailer of the Year

  • Geeks Headquarters Ltd
  • Quinney’s Pet Supplies
  • StraightCurves

 

Market Hall Business of the Year

  • Fairplay Gift Emporium
  • R P Davidson Cheese Factor
  • Thanks A Bunch

 

Best New Store 2018/2019

  • Astra Designs
  • Ingman’s
  • The Little White Dress

 

Market Trader of the Year

  • Roper’s Honey
  • Spire Vintage
  • Top Cards

 

Independent Retailer of the Year

  • H&F
  • Something Special Bridal
  • Tech CPR

 

National/Multiple Retailer of the Year

  • The Body Shop
  • RSPCA
  • Specsavers

 

Excellence in Customer Service

  • Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
  • Dotique
  • Something Special Bridal

 

Best Town Centre Event

  • Chesterfield Artisan Market
  • Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival
  • Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon

 

Supporters of the 2019 Chesterfield Retail Awards include: Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), eBusiness Works, Elite Private Education, Hoods Florist, In The Works PR, Jumble Creative Design, JP Fire Safety, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Pavements Shopping Centre, Peak FM, Spire Radio, Temple Safety and University of Derby.

For more information about the awards, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards

Chesterfield Retail Awards 2018, held at the Winding Wheel, Chesterfield, organised by Destination Chesterfield. 13 June 2018

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Derbyshire Distillery Named As Runner Up at International Gin Awards

Derbyshire Distillery’s Chesterfield Dry Gin, has been named as runner up at the international Gin Guide Awards 2019, in two categories: London Dry Gin and Traditional Gin.

The judging panel for The Gin Guide Awards included experts with significant on- and off-trade experience, including gin producers, marketers, event managers, leisure operators and mixologists.

Commenting on the company’s success at the prestigious awards Derbyshire Distillery’s head distiller, David Hemstock, said: “For a start-up distillery that has only been producing a modest range of gins for under 12 months, we are delighted that our Chesterfield Dry Gin was runner up in two categories.

“To have one of our gins chosen from of a hundreds of gins submitted from around the world is an impressive achievement and one that we are justifiably proud.”

Derbyshire Distillery is currently based in Staveley, but will be moving operations to new purpose-designed facilities at Markham Vale, adjacent to junction 29A on the M1, where production will continue during May 2019. At the new distillery all administration, sales and distilling operations will all be under one roof.

DERBYSHIRE DISTILLERY NAMED AS RUNNER UP AT INTERNATIONAL GIN AWARDS

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards

Progress is being made!

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield shares his latest views on the regeneration of Chesterfield.

At the start of 2019, there were various statements made to the effect that this year would be the year that we see progress being made on key developments in Chesterfield. It is now becoming clear that those statements were indeed correct.

The redevelopment of the former Co-op on Elder Way by Jomast Developments has come on in leaps and bounds with the opening of the new Premier Inn hotel officially opened in April.  Further progress will be seen at Northern Gateway in the coming weeks with the opening of the new Saltergate multi-storey car park.

The hotel opening was an encouraging step in the town’s plan to increase overnight stays in Chesterfield by five per cent. More hotel beds will follow at Chesterfield Waterside and Peak Resort.

To ensure we keep our overnight visitors in the town and that they, in turn, spend their money in the local economy, we must have an attractive offering. This is a proposition we continue to build, and it has independent operators at its core.

Jomast is actively targeting independent food, drink and leisure operators to fill the ground floor and basement of the Co-op, mirroring the plans to attract more independently-owned shops to Vicar Lane Shopping Centre by its new owners ALTERIS.

ICYMI: Independent Operator opens in Vicar Lane

The change in consumer shopping patterns, from ‘bricks and mortar’ to ‘bricks and clicks’ means that when people visit town centres, they no longer want identical, faceless town centres. Town centres today need a variety and mix of shops, restaurants and bars – both chain and independent, as well as events which can engage the whole family.

Recognising the importance of events as a way to draw visitors to the town, I am delighted that this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards include the brand new category – Best Town Centre Event.

We’ll be announcing the winner of this category and more at next month’s Retail Awards. You may have missed out on voting for your favourite shops, stores and events in the retail awards, but please don’t miss out on showing your support for the Food and Drink Awards. If you have a favourite place to eat, drink then make sure you nominate them. Nominate here….

It’s important that we recognise the contribution the town’s growing food and drink sector is making to the local economy. It’s playing an important role in ensuring our town centre not only survives, but also thrives.

Peter Swallow Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Businesses urged to nominate their food and drink apprentices for top award

The search has begun to find Chesterfield’s Food and Drink Apprentice of the Year in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Sponsored by Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), the award was introduced last year to recognise the significant contribution young people are making to the town’s thriving food and drink sector.

Awards organiser Destination Chesterfield is urging businesses to now publicly recognise the hard work and dedication of their apprentices by nominating them for the prestigious award. Nominations must be made by midnight on Wednesday 5 June.

Last year the title was won by Corey Elliot (below), an apprentice at The Lilypad Café & Restaurant who plans one day to have his own restaurant.

As well as putting forward their apprentices, businesses can also nominate themselves for the Apprentice Employer of the Year award, which is sponsored by Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group). Last year the award was won by Stephenson’s Tea & Coffee House.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “Chesterfield’s hospitality sector is growing steadily bringing jobs as well as new tastes and experiences to the town. It’s an exciting time for the sector. This award recognises the importance of apprenticeships in the sector to ensure the town has the skilled workforce to meet the demands of investors.”

“A new Premier Inn recently opened in the former Co-op on Elder Way creating 60 new jobs and more jobs and opportunities in the sector will be coming on board at Elder Way, Chesterfield Waterside and Peak Resort. These developments all need ambitious young people who are keen to build a career, not only in hospitality but also in Chesterfield.”

Neil Johnson, Assistant Director for Economic Growth at Chesterfield Borough Council, which leads the ground-breaking Apprentice Town initiative commented: “Apprentice Town is committed to raising the participation of young people in apprenticeships in Chesterfield.”

“The Award category sponsorship is an important part of the initiative’s drive to raise awareness of the many apprenticeships within the food and drink sector. Equally important, is recognising and celebrating the achievement of the young people who are currently undertaking their apprenticeship, and this award does just that.”

Other supporters of the awards include Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire. Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Jumble Creative Design, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Shorts Chartered Accountants.

To nominate an apprentice, or put your business forward for an award, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/apprentices-and-apprentice-employers/

Posted in Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Foodie families wanted to help find Chesterfield’s best family friendly restaurant

Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the town’s Food and Drink Awards is looking for a foodie family to help find the town’s best family friendly eatery.

Last year the popular Family Friendly award, which is sponsored by Jumble Creative Design, was won by Chesters Restaurant & Takeaway on Sheffield Road.

Now, the search is on to find 2019’s family friendly favourite and Destination Chesterfield needs you to help!

One young family with children aged under 12 is wanted to judge the shortlisted family-friendly establishments. They will help decide who takes the Family-Friendly title in the 2019 Awards which is held in association with the Chesterfield College Group.

The lucky family will win an all-expenses-paid meal for four at three local establishments.  They will also receive two tickets to attend the glittering 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards ceremony on Wednesday 23 October at the Winding Wheel in the heart of Chesterfield.

To enter the competition applicants simply have to tell Destination Chesterfield why their family should be chosen to mystery shop for the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Entries to the competition close at midnight on Tuesday 4 June and can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/family-judge-competition or, they can be made by post to:

Food and Drink Awards Competition,
Destination Chesterfield
Commerce House
Millennium Way
Dunston Road
S41 8ND

Now in its sixth year, the Family-Friendly award aims to find the town’s ultimate eatery that offers great food, excellent facilities for young children, special menus and goes the extra mile to make sure families enjoy their dining experience. As well as enjoying a meal, the winning family will be required to mark the establishments on food, ease of access, cleanliness and the quality and variety of children’s food.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, commented: “Who better to decide the winner of the Family Friendly Award 2019 than families themselves? This competition is a great chance for families in the area to voice their opinion and get to enjoy a meal out too.”

The awards ceremony, which will be held in autumn, promises to be a glittering affair hosted by a celebrity chef (to be announced soon). In addition to the Family Friendly award, there will also be 14 other winners announced at the ceremony.

Other supporters of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way by Jomast Developments, FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM and Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Shorts Chartered Accountants.

To keep up-to-date on developments with the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Nominate now in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Nominations are now open for Chesterfield’s premier food and drink awards.

The seventh annual Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield, returns on Wednesday 23 October.

Ahead of the glittering awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel, Destination Chesterfield is calling on people to nominate their favourite restaurants, bars, cafés, pubs, food producers and tearooms in the 2019 awards.

Nominations across 10 award categories can be made online until midnight on Sunday 12 May at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

The categories include:

The shortlisted businesses will be revealed in July, including the shortlist for the coveted Restaurant of the Year title, which was won by Bottle & Thyme in 2018.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, urged people to get nominating. He commented: “It’s important that we recognise the contribution the town’s growing food and drink sector is making to the local economy. Many of the businesses within it are also helping put Chesterfield on the map nationally. The awards are designed to ensure that we recognise and celebrate businesses in the sector. If you have a favourite, make sure you nominate them.”

Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of Chesterfield College Group, which is the headline sponsor of the awards, said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards for 2019. The event is one of the highlights of the year and a mutually-beneficial partnership between Destination Chesterfield and the college.”

Other supporters of the awards include Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Casa Hotel, Derbyshire Times, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM and Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd).

To find out more about the awards, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/

Food & drink 2018 winners

Food & drink 2018 winners

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Specsavers Matlock and Chesterfield donate food to combat child hunger

With one in five UK children suffering from food poverty, Specsavers in Matlock and Chesterfield are thanking customers in the local community, after they joined forces to collect food to help those in need.

Generous staff and their families held an in-store food drive, collecting a range of the most needed food items in support of the Chesterfield Foodbank.

Last week, the stores’ staff also volunteered at the foodbank, lending a hand to sort through the food at the warehouse, helping the foodbank cope with the influx of donated food.

“Chesterfield Foodbank is an amazing charity – helping local families when they need it most with their crisis food packages. We are proud to have played our part in helping, and the volunteering session really brought our team together too” said Audiologist Juliet Metterick.

She continues: “It was nice to try something different and also feel that we are giving back to our community. If you have a couple of hours to spare I strongly recommend volunteering like we did.”

Anyone wishing to donate or volunteer should visit chesterfield.foodbank.org.uk for more information.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield

The Rose and Crown Brampton doubles up

The Rose and Crown Brampton has been awarded Chesterfield CAMRA Branch Cider Pub of the Year (CPOTY) 2019. They were also awarded Chesterfield CAMRA Pub of the year back in 2018 thus giving them a fantastic double achievement.

The Rose and Crown Brampton is no stranger to such awards having also been Summer and Spring ‘Pub of the Season’ on a number of occasions.

This Rose and Crown is one of three local pubs owned by Brampton Brewery. The Tramway Tavern is situated on Chatsworth Road, a mere 30 yards from the brewery, and in February the Glassworks was opened, situated on Sheffield Road directly across from the Proact Stadium.

On being presented with the award by CAMRA cider champion Yvonne Nolan, The Rose and Crown landlord Mat Randall said “We are delighted to be voted Chesterfield Cider Pub of the Year for 2019. We are extremely proud of our constantly changing wide range of ciders and perries and are always happy to find new ones to add to our list and encourage more people to try real Cider and Perry”.

Yvonne said “Cider is a natural product with great variety and is increasing in popularity. Regularly offering over 15 ciders and perries The Rose and Crown is a fantastic example of promoting cider in pubs. It is a worthy winner of Cider Pub of the Year and now goes forward to the regional round of the competition.”

Rose and crown brampton camra award 2019

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure

Local teen chef enters national finals

The Tickled Trout’s work experience student has progressed to the final of the prestigious FutureChef competition. FutureChef is a programme organised by Springboard where over 12,000 12-16 year olds compete to get a place in the national final in Westminster to represent their region against 11 other finalists.

Leigh Speight, aged 15, is currently a student from Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and is doing work experience on Saturdays at The Tickled Trout. She has beat off competition from across the region to get to the national final. This will be the second time Leigh has reached the milestone after previously reaching the landmark two-years-ago.

Her mentor and Owner of The Tickled Trout, Chris Mapp, said: “Hopefully we will be second time lucky this year. Leigh cooked an amazing cote de porc with potato rosti, cider jus and a beautiful lemon posset with macerated raspberries and caramelised popcorn, and achieved excellent feedback from the judges, almost faultless from the majority.”

“I am proud to say that Leigh now joins us on Saturdays for work experience to learn more in my kitchen, which is a credit to her as she has fantastic talent and is keen to learn. I hope that she gets the bug and wants to be a chef full time as this would be a great example to the industry and to Springboard’s FutureChef.”

The final is on 19 March, and the pair will soon receive their ‘mystery basket’ to begin putting ideas together for the trip to London. For updates on Leigh’s progress, check out the Tickled Trout’s Facebook page.

futurechef dronfield tickled trout leigh speight

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards