Welcome to the Ox In A Box Food Awards 2022 and here is our Best Chef category, listed in alphabetical order: Support them by voting for your favourite!
The awards will be held on Feb 27 at OFS, sponsored by Goldstar Recruitment and Thomas Franks, and attended by Raymond Blanc, where the top three nominations from each category will be invited to the glittering ceremony and the winners will be announced.
The Best Chef category was tricky because chefs are a transient bunch at the best of times, and so many of them have moved jobs or left in the past 24 months. So we’ve chosen those who have made the biggest impact within those two years, and next year will go back to being those working in specific pubs and restaurants.
1)Simon Bradley, The Hollybush, Witney – A big name to land, The Hollybush did well to get Simon on board. His food there is pared back and quite, quite delicious. He makes it look so easy but his attention to detail, preference for locally sourced, seasonal food and obsession with flavour is second to none. We are big fans. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
2) Ben Bullen – The Feathers in Woodstock/The White House, Bladon – his gift is in the deceptive nature of his food, because what sounds simple on a menu is given so much love, care and skill that it takes your breath away, meaning that the Masterchef contender is as passionate as ever about his craft. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
3) Mark Chandler – White Hart Fyfield – This chef patron grows a lot of his beloved pub’s produce himself, bucking the trend for home-grown fruit and veg, and foraging, long before it became de rigueur. His food is endlessly popular and they make everything from scratch. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
4) Nathan Eades – Wild Rabbit, Kingham – Nathan’s reputation preceded him at this prestigious Cotswold haunt, which he recently left. Rumour has it he’s looking to start up on his own. We hope he does and that he stays local. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
5) Owen Little, No 1 Ship Street – Still one of my favourite places to eat, Owen’s food never lets you down. He enjoys the finer things in life from oysters and mussels to surf’ n’ turf, but you’ll always find them mingling alongside the classics. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
6) Mike North – The Nut Tree – needs little introduction because his Michelin star speaks for itself. Awarded in 2008, and every year since, it is now the only one in Oxfordshire. Impeccably consistent, whether you opt for his famous tasting menu or the simpler a la carte offerings, his food is revered. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
7) Frideswide O’Neill – Tap Social White House, Oxford – Pioneering, eclectic, exciting – Frides’ put the Abingdon Road pub firmly on the culinary map in Oxford. Her sharing and small plates menu was one of my favourite meals last year. She has recently moved on but made a massive and memorable impact on Oxford. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
8) Johnny Parke – The Mole, Toot Baldon and The Back Lane, Woodstock – everyone loves Johnny’s food, it’s just so moreish, and his move to the Backlane in Woodstock has made a massive noise as people flock en masse to taste his food. The new name on everyone’s lips, Johnny’s food is surprising and fun. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
9) Martin Sherriff – Black Horse Standlake/Greyhound – has recently jumped ship but there is no doubt that his inventive, colourful, eccentric cooking will continue unabated wherever he goes. Martin’s dishes are a wonder to behold and a delight to eat, plus he puts as much effort into plant based food as he does the meat dishes. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
10) Anthony Skeats, The Punter – A new face in Oxford, formerly of The Sir Charles Napier in Chinnor fame, Anthony is polishing the veggie/vegan offering at this riverside pub and really enjoying himself. It means some really gifted, novel and inspired cooking is being enjoyed by herbivores and carnivores alike. I challenge you not to fall hook, line and sinker for his food. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
11) Ladd Thurston – Oli’s Thai – To enable a restaurant to win so many accolades while remaining fully booked, with a waiting list any restaurateur would bite your arm off for, really takes some doing. Ladd’s Thai food may not be conventional but she has a gift for cooking the kind of dishes we all want to eat. Adored, with a slavish following, Ladd has made Oli’s Thai the legendary idyll that it has become. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
12) Paul Welburn – 215 Summertown – He never stops pushing. Despite 215 now closing, Paul’s vision, courage and standards never drop. HIs ambition is palpable and his food is mesmerising. Formerly Michelin starred until 215 was renamed, and the winner of last year’s Best Chef award, we hope his next posting will keep him here. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
13) Liam Whittle – The Greyhound, Letcombe Regis – Has just left for personal reasons but really put this historic pub on the map as foodies flocked for miles to eat his traditional but impeccable rural menu. Where he goes next is the big question, but let’s hope it’s in Oxfordshire. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
14) Pascal Wiedemann, Pompette – Has made a massive impact on Oxford since opening in 2018. His nostalgic French/Alsacian cooking is comfort food at its best. VOTE HERE: https://surveyhero.com/c/rzwfq3cy
To find out more about the food awards, sponsored by Goldstar Recruitment and Thomas Franks, being held on Feb 27 at OFS click here: https://www.oxinabox.co.uk/the-ox-in-a-box-food-awards-returns-with-raymond-blanc-to-recognise-oxfordshires-incredible-hospitality-industry-get-voting/ and keep voting every day for all 12 categories!
You can vote once in each category!