Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2008/January 2009 | Page 40

life

FOOD & DRINK AWARDS 2008 - MAIN SPONSOR RED FUNNEL
Left to right: William Smith & Geoffrey Hughes

Left to right: Paul Murphy and Andrew Turner MP

A night for the food and drink stars
They came in their droves. More than 300
of the glitterati of the Island’s food and
drink industry rolled up at Havenstreet
to celebrate another successful year of
excellence, at the Island Life’s Food and
Drink Awards.
This is only the second year of the
awards, but the event is already a fixture
in the calendar for chefs, food producers
and growers, and for those in the wine and
beer trade. It is a rare chance for those
in such a hard-working industry to meet,
relax and enjoy a meal from their excellent
produce.
It was a chilly night, but the lady and
gentleman from the Havenstreet Railway
were undaunted as they greeted guests
– even clipping their ticket (old habits
die hard!) – and pointed the way to the
marquee. Ladies in skimpy cocktail
dresses with their escorts in black tie
were all the more delighted to arrive in
the sumptuous warmth of the marquee,
provided by Nick Ward of Grays
Marquees, to be greeted with a delicious
vodka aperitif from Wight Vodka. Music,
on the solo violin was playing and the
evening had begun.
The menu was every bit as imaginative
as expected, and it was served with all
the discretion associated by All About
Catering. Isle of Wight smoked salmon
with crispy shoots – sponsored by Philip’s
Fine Foods and Carisbrooke Cuisine –
with wholemeal bread rolls from Scarrot’s

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Lane Bakery was followed by Shorwell
top rump braised steak in Ventnor Oyster
Stout. This was sponsored by Hamilton
Fine Fo ods, and Claudia and Andrew
Hodgson of New Barn Farm, as well as
Ventnor Brewery. It was accompanied
by celeriac and potato puree with roasted
root vegetables by Carisbrooke Cuisine.
The third course was an Isle of Wight
rarebit, with watercress, which melted
in the mouth – sponsored by All About
Catering and Carisbrooke Cuisine.
The meal was beautifully rounded off
in wickedly indulgent style, with Mr
Minghella’s Praline, White and Dark
chocolate gateau served with hot spiced
cherries. Thanks of course go to the
Minghella family for that.
As the last mouthful of ice cream dessert
disappeared the main event of the evening
began: the unveiling of the awards.
Compare Peter Tautz introduced Editor of
Island Life magazine Martin Potter, and
“the boss” as he quipped, Martin’s wife
Tanya.
In order to thank the Isle of Wight
Steam Railway for their kind provision
of their premises Martin invited guests
to make a small donation in return for
the privilege of opening those precious
envelopes. This raised over £200.
As each winner was announced to
delighted cheers they were congratulated
by Tanya Potter who presented them
with their engraved trophy, specially

commissioned by Paul Critchley of
Diamond Isle Sculptured Glass.
The atmosphere reached a head with the
announcement of the most prestigious of
the awards – those given by the AA – and
it was hardly surprising that when people
hit the dance floor the dancing, to music
from the Tony Martin Music Show, was
exuberant. After all, whether or not they
were final winners, they all had something
to celebrate – an excellent industry giving
us food and drink of which we are rightly
proud.
Island Life would like to thank the
main sponsor Red Funnel Ferries & the
many Island businesses who generously
sponsored the awards.

Peter Tautz
The Wight Toastmaster

The Island's new funky radio station www.wightfm.com