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By Cheshire Life on October 26th 2011
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Cheshire Life Food Hero 2011
Karen and David Challinor spend every waking hour looking after their Gloucester Old Spot pigs. While many people might shudder at the thought, it is a long yearned for dream for the couple, who run Rushey Hey Farm.
They used to spend their days working as a financial advisor and for BMW. But the pull of a rural life finally became too strong. They have spent the past three and a half years grafting to make their pig-rearing business work.
In fact, they have thought of little else than the 100 Gloucester Old Spot pigs that get the run of the fields around the farm. So when their names were announced as the winners of the Cheshire Food Hero Award at the Cheshire Life Food and Drink Awards, it came as quite a surprise.
Karen, who also works three days a week for the NHS, said: ‘Winning the award is really amazing. I just can’t quite believe it; we never expected anything like this. It’s just wonderful. My heart is beating like you wouldn’t believe; it feels like it wants to jump out of my chest.
‘This is just a fantastic thing to get. When you are working away you just get on with it. This is just amazing. It’s all a bit like a dream. We’re very pleased. It’s just wonderful.’
It was an award well deserved for first time farmers David, 47, and Karen, 53. They first took up residence at Rushey Hey Farm to have their own horse yard. They also reared beef for a short time but, with help from local farmer Peter Potts, they began keeping the rare breed pigs.
David said: ‘It’s been a steep learning curve and we will always be learning. But we get to work with these magnificent animals that get to live happily out in our fields rooting around for food and eating all of the acorns from the trees.
‘We have been trying to education people about their food and the benefits of the meat we produce versus supermarket meat and it seems to be working. We had to re-educate ourselves at first. We absolutely love what we do and to have an award like this is simply fantastic.’
It was also quite a shock for Anne Benson, chairman of Wirral Farmers’ Market, which was named North West Farmers’ Market of the Year in a new category at this year’s event. The market is run by an army of volunteers from the local community and since it was set up in 2000 has become a must-visit place for dedicated foodies.
Anne said: ‘This is an incredible achievement for us, made even more incredible because it is all run by volunteers, who are all fantastic. It feels very good to get an award.
‘The market has connected the producers with the local people and we also work with local schools that then have gone on to create their own allotments and grow their own. We are doing something than benefits many people and this award is testament to the hard work of the people who have made it all happen.’
The Cheshire Life Food & Drink Awards is an evening that reveals the county’s shining stars and celebrates the finest hotels, dining pubs, restaurants, food producers and chefs. The celebrations could be heard around Manchester’s Midland Hotel at the prestigious annual event, a staple of the north west’s culinary calendar. Around 300 people filled the Alexandra Suite for the gala evening as Granada Reports presenter, Lucy Meacock, and Cheshire Life food and drink writer, Ray King handed out the awards.
The winners were chosen by a panel of independent judges comprising Lancashire Life editor Roger Borrell, Cheshire Life editor Louise Taylor, highly regarded food consultant Rosemary Watts, Trevor Stone, who headed the AstraZeneca catering operation, Ray King and Lancashire Life’s cookery editor Philippa James, who also runs a successful cookery school.
The biggest cheer of the evening came from the team at Room, whose table erupted when they were named Manchester Restaurant of the Year. This building has seen many owners over the years but the current team have staying power and it has gone from strength to strength.
There were also excitable cheers from the Dun Cow at Ollerton, who took home the Cheshire Life Dining Pub of the Year award. Since owners Dianne Lymm and Frances Phillips took on the business they have had to deal with the flooding of the pub on Boxing Day after pipes froze. But the hard work of them, their talented head chef Marc Mattocks, who cut his teeth in some of the country’s finest Michelin and AA rosette establishments, and the rest of their team, has paid off.
Marc said: ‘I’m feeling very good right now and this has been a massive team effort, it’s been hard work. It’s not just about winning; it’s about working hard all year and keeping consistency. The award is all about that consistency.
‘This isn’t just a good award to win, it’s the best award to get in Cheshire and we won it. Absolutely fantastic news, we’re all so pleased.’
Other winners included The Chester Grosvenor, Damson at Heaton Moor, Tre-Ysgawen Hall Hotel in Llangefni and Host in Liverpool who were also recognised for the talent, flair and culinary creativity their staff have shown.
But the main title of the evening was reserved for Michael Caines, director of food and beverage operations of ABode Hotels and Michael Caines Restaurants, who achievements were recognised with the North West Chef of the Year accolade.
He said: ‘It is a real honour to be selected as the North West Chef of the Year and it is also tremendous recognition for my teams at the ABode Chester and Manchester. The North West has got a very vibrant foodie culture and it is great to be able to be part of this.’
All of the winners were presented with the coveted Lancashire Life Food and Drink Awards plaques to display as well as celebratory champagne. But no one left empty handed as all those shortlisted also took home commemorative plates.
A raffle, with prizes including a holiday to Portugal and the opportunity to win your weight in Robinsons beer, also raised more than £3,000 for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital which provides treatment, care and research to help children across the north west and beyond.
Cheshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2011-2012
Cheshire Life Hotel of the Year
The Chester Grosvenor, Chester
Sponsored by Marketing Cheshire
North Wales Dining Excellence of the Year
Tre-Ysgawen Hall Hotel, Llangefni
Sponsored by Johnsons Printers
North West Farmers’ Market of the Year
Wirral Farmers’ Market
Sponsored by Taste North West
Cheshire Life Food Hero of the Year
Rushey Hey Farm, Astbury
Sponsored by Foreman and Johnstone
Cheshire Life Dining Pub of the Year
Dun Cow, Ollerton
Sponsored by Stephensons
Manchester Restaurant of the Year
Room, Manchester
Sponsored by So Beautiful
Liverpool Restaurant of the Year
Host, Liverpool
Sponsored by H Greaves and Son
Cheshire Life Restaurant of the Year
Damson, Heaton Moor
Sponsored by Panache Interiors
North West Chef of the Year
Michael Caines
Sponsored by Robinsons Brewery
For more details on the nominations and sponsors click on the categories above
Emma Bellis from Marketing Cheshire sponsored the Cheshire Life Hotel of the Year award which was won by Jonathan Slater and Fiona McBurnie of The Chester Grosvenor, Chester
Simon Rossen of Johnsons Printers sponsored the North Wales Dining Excellence of the Year award which was won by Neil and Emma Rowlands of Tre-Ysgawen Hall Hotel, Llangefni
North West Farmers' Market of the Year was won by Wirral Farmers Market. Here is Anne Benson of Wirral Farmers Market celebrating with award sponsor Pam Billington of Taste North West
Cheshire Life Food Hero of the Year was won by David and Karen Challinor of Rushey Hey Farm
Cheshire Life Dining Pub of the Year winner was Dun Cow, Ollerton; Jimmy Dennitts, Marc Mattocks and Mark Dightam
Manchester Restaurant of the Year winners were Room; Iain Gray, Tony Riley, Jamie Jones, Unda Ozola, Billy O'Brien, George Farrugia, Jacqueline Hughes-Lundy and Pete Taylor
Liverpool Restaurant of the Year was won by Host; Gary Manning, Luke Creeton, David Fitzsimmons and Avril King with award sponsor, Robert Greaves of H Greaves and Son
Cheshire Life Restaurant of the Year was Damson, Heaton Moor; Simon Stanley and Steve Pilling
John Robinson of Robinsons Brewery sponsored the North West Chef of the Year award which was picked up by Christophe Hesbert on behalf of Michael Caines
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
The Alexandra Suite at The Midland Hotel
Sheelagh Burns, Gordon Burns, Ranvir Singh and Kate Simms
Tony Riley, Emma Rowlands, Neil Rowlands and Louise Riley
Robinsons Brewery
The Millstone, Mellor won Lancashire Life Hotel of the Year
The Chester Grosvenor won Cheshire Life Hotel of the Year
Victoria Danson and Ashley Kelly of Lily Rose Events
Richard and Mandy Webb, Derek and Caroline Holland and Brian and Sarah Nidd
Ellie Davies and Duncan Falconer
Chris Wise, Tim Talbot-Johnstone and Cath Foreman
Entertainer, Wayne Farrow with Donna Kelsall
Ricardo Ferreira and Emma Bellis
Anthony and Catherine Greaves with Clare and David Rigby
Emma Mayoh, Pam Billington and Michael Shenton
Richard Rose, Abi Lloyd, Laura Carmichael and Mark Swanton
Jackie Allen, Ray King, Trudi King and Lucy Neal
Jacques Franke, Eamonn Phelan, Richard Mann and Andrew Grundy
Lorraine and Christopher Greaves
Karen and David Challinor
Rachel Aziel Hunt with Catherine Williams
Cass Kola, Gary Bloor, Caroline Bloor, Camille Shaw, Paul Crossland, Dawn Atherton, Wendy Simm and John Holland
Gillian and Colin Hall
Marc and Laura Mattocks with Frances Phillips and Mark Dightam
Simon Stanley, Stacey Stanley and Chris Yates
Henry Stephenson with Vicki and James Almond
Neil and Susan Blair with Adrienne and Alan Owen
Andrew Nutter, Steve Atkinson, Dominic Blanc and Mark Harrison
Pete Smith and Archie Dixon
Andrew Wildsmith, Jessica Helm, Eddie Wilkinson and Nicola Woodhouse
John and Alex Timpson with Adrienne and Alan Owen
Mike Jennings, Susie Bell, Ben Swift and Mercedes Crescenti
Simon and Dawn Rossen
Nick Banda and Marc Russell
Singer, Wayne Farrow with Donna Kelsall.
Christine Cook with Annie Spencer, Margo Guy and Aimi Forrest.
Emma Bellis and Ricardo Ferreira of Marketing Cheshire with Jackie Allen.
Margo and Derick Guy with Annie Spencer, Christine Cook, Rebekah and Darren Smith, Aimi Forrest and Marco Camacho.
Head chef, Andre Matter.
The Midland chefs; Andre Matter (head), Lorissa Ellis, Brendan Kenny (sous), Jacinda Navin, Matthew Pringle (junior sous) and Jake Jones.
The setting for the awards dinner.
The setting for the awards dinner.
The setting for the awards dinner.
The setting for the awards dinner.
The setting for the awards dinner.
The setting for the awards dinner.
The setting for the awards dinner.
Christophe Hesbert, Jacqueline Hughes Lundy and Roger Borrell.
Andrew Nutter and Simon Stanley.
Andrew Nutter and his parents, Jean and Rod , with Lucy Meacock.
Archant Life Managing Editor, Robyn Bechelet.
Lancashire Life Editor, Roger Borrell, and Publisher, Rhiannon Wragg.
David Bremner of sponsors Robinsons Brewery
David Bremner of sponsors Robinsons Brewery
North West Chef of the Year: Lucy Meacock with John Robinson of Robinsons Brewery who sponsored the North West Chef of the Year award which was picked up by Christophe Hesbert on behalf of Michael Caines.
Christophe Hesbert on his way to collect the North West Chef of the Year award on behalf of Michael Caines...
Jenny and Trevor Stone.
Ray King and Lucy Meacock.
Archant Life Managing Editor, Robyn Bechelet.
Cordelia Robinson.
John Robinson (centre)
Andrew Nutter
Lancashire Life Restaurant of the Year: Lucy Meacock with the team from Nutters of Rochdale, Rod and Jean Nutter with son Andrew Nutter, Damien Brierley and Carl Tait and sponsor Charles Clowes of Doug Brady Hi Fi
Andrew Nutter has his say...
ndrew Nutter shows his excitement at winning The Lancashire Restaurant of the Year...
Cheshire Life Restaurant of the Year: was Damson, Heaton Manor and here Steve Pilling and Simon Stanley are receiving their award from Lucy Meacock and Rachel Aziel-Hunt of sponsors, Panache Interiors
Kate Simms, Ranvir Singh and Gordon Burns show their appreciation....
Ray King and Lucy Meacock.
Cheshire Life Manchester Restaurant of the Year: Lucy Meacock here with the winners from ROOM Restaurant; William O’Brien, Jamie Jones, Pete Taylor, Tony Riley, George Farrugia, Jacqueline Hughes-Lundy, Unda Ozola and sponsor Ben Swift of So Beautiful
Jacqueline Hughes Lundy leads an excited team from ROOM Restaurant to collect the Cheshire Life and Manchester Restaurant of the Year Award...
Ricardo Ferreira of Marketing Cheshire
Jenny Stone
Lancashire Life Food Hero winners were Mrs Dowson's Real Dairy Ice Cream and here Amanda and Eric Dowson receive their award from Lucy Meacock and sponsor David Bremner of Robinsons Brewery.
Lancashire Life Food Hero winners were Mrs Dowson's Real Dairy Ice Cream - Amanda and Eric Dowson
Cheshire Life Dining Pub of the Year: Lucy Meacock with winners Jimmy Dennitts, Marc Mattocks and Mark Dightam of The Dun Cow, Ollerton, and sponsor Henry Stephenson
Lake District Life Hotel of the Year : Daniel Jonberger picked up the award for The Rampsbeck Country House Hotel, Ullswater, from Lucy Meacock and sponsor Gary Apps of Neves.
Cheshire Life Food Hero of the Year: won by David and Karen Challinor of Rushey Hey Farm here flanked by Lucy Meacock and sponsor, Tim Talbot-Johnstone of Foreman and Johnstone
Archant Life Commercial Director Tim Thurston leads the applause with Emma Bellis and Ricardo Ferreira of Marketing Cheshire
Lancashire Life Liverpool Restaurant of the Year: Lucy Meacock and the winners, David Fitzsimmons, Luke Creeton, Avril King and Gary Manning of HOST restaurant with sponsor, Robert Greaves of H Greaves and Son.
Stage set.
Lancashire Life Hotel of the Year: Lucy Meacock with the winners Sarah and Anson Bolton of The Millstone, Mellor, and Alison Tilzey of sponsors Vale Do Lobo
North West Farmers Market of the Year: Lucy Meacock with the winners Anne Benson of Wirral Farmers Market celebrating with award sponsor Pam Billington of Taste North West.
North Wales Dining Excellence of the Year: Lucy Meacock with the winners Neil and Emma Rowlands of Tre-Ysygawen Hall Hotel, Llangefni, and Simon Rossom of sponsors Johnsons Printers.
Lake District Dining Pub of the Year: ;Lucy Meacock with the winners Richard Rose, Abi lloyd, Laura Carmichael and Mark Swanton of The Plough at Lupton with Rupert Frazer Worden of Sugar Daddy Patisserie.
Lancashire Life Dining Pub of the Year: Lucy Meacock with winners, Archie Dixon and Pete Smith of the Freemasons Arms, Wiswell, and Mark Loynton- Villeroy and Boch
Lancashire Life Editor, Roger Borrell, with wife, Barbara and Jenny Stone applauding...
Ray King and Lucy Meacock.
Cheshire Life Hotel of the Year: Lucy Meacock with Fiona McBurnie and Jonathan Slater of The Chester Grosvenor with Emma Bellis of Marketing Cheshire.
Ray King and Lucy Meacock.
Ray King
Lucy Meacock
Ray King and Lucy Meacock
Steve and Alison Pillings
Claire Brady-Eastham and husband, Simon Eastham.
Trevor and Jenny Stone with Cheshire Life Editor, Louise Taylor and Rosemary and Peter Watts.
Tim Thurston, Group Commercial Director for Archant Life) with Managing Editor, Robyn Bechelet and her husband, Dave Perkins.
Andrew Morris, Stephanie Platt and Paulo Atalainha.
Chris Yates, Sarah Papworth, Andy Hitchen, Lucy, Craig, Karen and Dan Yates.
Ray and Trudi King with Nicola and Charles Clowes.
Emma Whittam, Ken Claxon, Philippa James, Anson and Sarah Bolton and Jane Waterworth.
Alex Wood, Natalie Seymour, Kate Darbyshire and Christian Whittleworth.
Daniel Jonberger with Lisa and Craig Baker.
Kim Jackson, Claire Jones, Pete Fisher, Wendy O'Connor and Stephanie Chamberlain.
Kim Jackson, Claire Jones, Pete Fisher, Wendy O'Connor and Stephanie Chamberlain.
Sara and Gwam Rajiah.
Mike Kenyon with Jane Carwardine-Wheeler and Hans Konings.
Nick Ford, Nathan Grady, Lee Oliver, Simon Eastham and Max Smith.
Lancashire Life Editor, Roger Borrell and wife, Barbara, with Cheshire Life Editor, Louise Taylor, with husband Paul.
Mike Shenton with Pam Billington, Emma Bellis and Ricardo Ferreira.
Cheshire Life Editor, Louise Taylor, with husband Paul.
Andrew Grundy, Richard Maun, Sarah Richmond, Helen Alcroft, Eamonn Phelan, and Jacques Franke.
Cheshire Life Editor, Louise Taylor, with Marketing and Promotions Manager, Kate Wilson, and Circulation Manager, Richard Shevlin.
Henry Stephenson, Julia Lewis-Booth, Stephen Jordan and Paul Evans.
Richard Rose, Laura Carmichael, Abi lloyd and Mark Swanton.
Christopher, Anthony and Robert Greaves with David Rigby.
James Devereux with Stewart Warner and Jenny Thoden
Carl Tait with Jean and Rod Nutter and Damien Brierley.
David Bremner with Joh Robinson and his sister, Cordelia Robinson.
Linda and Cyril Chase
Platter of cheese served with pear chutney and Old Tom and black pudding bread.
Potted Morecambe Bay Shrimps with Cucumber Salad.
Twenty-eight-day aged organic Bowland and Lakeland Sirloin of Beef with sauteed Lyonnaise Potatoes and Forest Mushroom Sauce...
Baked Cheshire apple pie cheesecake, Iced Vanilla Parfait, Candied Walnuts and Apple Biscuit.
Cheshire Life and Lancashire Life Food Awards 2011-2012
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