Carters of Moseley crowned UK’s ‘Restaurant of the Year’

The Waitrose Good Food Guide has named Birmingham’s Carters of Moseley as the nation’s ‘Readers’ Restaurant of the Year’.

Carters had previously been shortlisted for the award after being voted the ‘Readers’ Restaurant of the Year’ for the Midlands in June 2014. The Guide received more than 30,000 nominations from members of the public, before announcing ten regional winners who represent some of the best local dining experiences to be had around the country.

To qualify for the awards, aimed at championing neighbourhood eateries, restaurants needed to be independently run and offer regional or local produce where possible.

Elizabeth Carter, Consultant Editor of The Good Food Guide, added:

“It was a tough judging assignment this year – every one of our regional winners was operating at such a high standard. But ultimately Brad Carter and Holly Jackson’s small neighbourhood restaurant won our hearts and the Good Food Guide’s Readers’ Restaurant of the Year award.

“Exceptional friendliness, sheer professionalism, value for money and food that is not only delicious but also properly prepared, seasonal and locally sourced may be a simple recipe for success, but not many manage to get it so right. I wish every town had a restaurant of this standard. There are some fabulous restaurants in Birmingham, and it’s tough to stand out from the crowd - but Carters of Moseley is a fine example of what can be achieved with sheer determination and a modern, fresh outlook.”

The Guide reflects the high standard of dining in the Midlands as a total of 81 restaurants, pubs and cafés from across the region are included in the UK’s bestselling restaurant guide, including Adam’s, Lasan, Loves, Opus, Purnell’s, Purnell’s Bistro, Saffron, Simpsons and Turners from Birmingham.

Alongside Caters of Moseley, the other nine regional winners will also appear in The Waitrose Good Food Guide 2015 which publishes on 8th September 2014. Members of the public were invited to nominate their favourite independently-run restaurants, pubs and cafés online or by submitting a postcard, which was available in restaurants.

The overall winner was then chosen by the editors of the Waitrose Good Food Guide.

The list of 10 regional winners are as follows:

EAST ENGLAND: The Ingham Swan, Ingham

MIDLANDS: Carters of Moseley, Birmingham

NORTH EAST: The Spiced Pear, Holmfirth

NORTH WEST: Lunya, Liverpool

NORTHERN IRELAND: James Street South, Belfast

SCOTLAND: The Birch Tree, Delny

SOUTH EAST:  Stovells, Chobham

SOUTH WEST: Menu Gordon Jones, Bath

WALES: Bar 44, Cowbridge