Welcome to the Ox In A Box Food Awards 2024 and here is our first category Best Newcomer 2023/2024, listed in alphabetical order: It’s always a brave time to open up in hospitality, so support them by voting for your favourite! VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
The awards will be held on Monday May 13 at the North Wall, with headline sponsors Goldstar Recruitment and Thomas Franks Ltd and attended by Le Manoir’s Raymond Blanc.
There are 10 categories and we will be announcing one every day for the next 10 days. These include BEST NEWCOMER, BEST PUB/BAR, BEST CAFE, BEST RESTAURANT, BEST VEGGIE/VEGAN, BEST CHEF, BEST GASTROPUB, BEST EUROPEAN, BEST GLOBAL, BEST COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECT
The top three nominations from each category will be invited to the glittering ceremony where the winners will be announced, so get voting and pick your favourite. You can only vote once in each category so keep voting every day for all 10 categories!
In alphabetical order, the nominations for Best Newcomer 2022/2023 are: VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Best Newcomer 2023/24:
Bell, Charlbury – Lady Bamford has been hard at work on Daylesford’s new line of pubs and The Bell is a gleaming example. READ ABOUT IT HERE Perfect for is upmarket clientele, it’s tasteful but cosy at the same time. And with Alan Gleeson in the kitchens the food is mighty fine too. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Bia, South Parade, Summertown. Opened this autumn READ ABOUT IT HERE with a refreshing take on sharing plates, numerous veggie and vegan options and a fun, novel menu, it’s a great addition to Oxford’s food scene. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Black Horse, Salford – a September opening – head chef Dan Smith is cooking up a storm with an unashamedly trad menu such as home-made sausage roll swith piccalilli, a delectable cottage pie, and a splendid spotted dick and custard. READ ABOUT IT HERE Under the realm of the Lionhearth Group, which also owns The Swan at Ascott-Under-Wychwood and The Chequers at Churchill, it’s in good hands. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Bull, Charlbury – making big waves in the Cotswolds and further afield, it has national critics flocking from far and wide. As the owners also run the renowned Pelican pub in London’s Notting Hill, it has a great pedigree, and the food is really enticing. From haggis sausage rolls to leeks with Lincolnshire Poacher and muntjac, even the bread and pickles are irresistible. Already wildly popular. Full review to follow. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Bull, Great Milton – still very much a village inn, this former community pub was bought by a local resident in March and slowly brought back to life, READ ABOUT IT HERE largely thanks to new, local landlady Flora Noble who is making sure it thrives again and is determined to turn it into a real village hub. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Chandlers Arms, Epwell – one of our favourite finds, located between Chipping Norton and Banbury. The meringue macaroon with Kingcott Blue had us from the moment we bit into the soft, salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy mouthful. But the piece de resistance was the dessert – a lemon curd and raspberry ripple parfait, raspberry & lemon sorbet and lemon balm honey tuile. READ OUR REVIEW HERE All thanks to father/son team Anthony and Harry in the kitchens. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Chloe’s, Charlbury – where to start! READ ABOUT IT HERE The passion project of well known chef Chloe Horner of Oxfork fame, her cafe offers wonderful brunches and lunches as well as numerous evening pop ups, hosted by her, and other up-and-coming local food enterprises. Her sustainability credentials are also immaculate – her food is authentically local and seasonal as well as utterly delicious. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Dashwood, Kirtlington – reopened by a husband and wife team James and Flora, it’s now much more of a community hub, well used by locals, families, dog walkers and groups alike. Great coffee, cake, lunch and a swanky new evening menu and wine list, it really deserves to do well. Full review and exclusive to follow. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Dosa Darlings, Cowley Road – the new kid on the block which recently opened on the former Tarifa site READ ABOUT IT HERE it is bringing something new to East Oxford, with a stunning new look, exciting cocktails menu, dosas and a full South Indian menu. Bound to be hugely popular. Brought to you from the company behind Bhoomi Kitchen in Headington. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Edge at Lil’s, Witney – such great way to reinvent a classic. READ OUR REVIEW HERE The Edge, who run such a cult cafe up the road, has taken it over and runs the bar/restaurant where the burgers and Mexican offerings are off the scale. You must go! VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Fire & Wine, Milton under Wychwood – another labour of love, and the greatest of marriages, that between pizza and wine. The latest offering sees Sartorelli’s partnering up with Eynsham Cellars in Alfred Groves & Sons Ltd’s old mill site. READ ABOUT IT HERE Think wine merchant by day, pizza and wine by night. And if you’ve been to Sartorelli’s in Oxford’s Covered market you’ll know what a treat is in store. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Fleur De Lys, Bampton – a surprising opening and a wonderful addition. READ ABOUT IT HERE Not only does it serve classic French food in a rural location, but it’s superb to boot. Throw in head chef Stuart Banks, formerly of The Swan at Ascott-Under-Wychwood, and it is a formidable partnership. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Il Corno, Oxford Covered Market – A totally family affair! This is not only truly Italian, but a bit of a curiosity. What is a panuozzo anyway? READ ABOUT IL CORNO HERE Based on Naples street food, the pizza sandwich is one thing, the taralli, rum babas and sfogliatelle quite another. But to the Clemente family it’s all quite normal, especially their daughter Fanny, an Oxford university student whose brainchild it was in the first place. More of a cafe, pop in and enjoy! VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Lamb and Flag, Oxford – after closing amidst much protest, a full refit and several changes in management, this stalwart Oxford pub finally reopened its doors late last year and is once more humming with life – tourists, students and locals flocking back to enjoy its historic atmosphere and great beer selection. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Market Tap by Tap Social – Oxford Covered Market – the perfect place for Tap Social to spread the love, and spice up The Covered Market’s new late night food and drink offering. READ ABOUT IT HERE Obviously serving their own beer, drinks, coffee and pastries from their esteemed Proof bakery, it’s perfect day or night.VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Oxford Wine Cellar, Oxford – A classy new addition to Oxford’s High Street, READ ABOUT IT HERE wine bars are back in fashion it would seem. Direct from The Oxford Wine Company, this elegant drinking hole is helping to transform Oxford High Street back into the smart echelons of yesteryear. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Popina, Jericho – Sister bar to its more cocktail centric Lynrace over the road READ BOUT POPINA HERE , this homage to wine and charcuterie has become a popular meeting place for wine-lovers, anyone seeking a Mediterannean vibe and that lovely European habit of stopping off for a glass of vino and maybe some bread and cheese. If so this is your place. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Plough at Alvescot – The paint is still drying, but this country pub has been given a new lease of life and an ambitious head chef in the shape of Luke Sushams. The new landlords aim to transform it into a a serious gastro pub and to welcome the locals back in their droves. Another great example of how to bring an empty pub back to life. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Rosa’s Thai, Oxford – Yes it’s a chain, but it has brightened up George Street’s line-up with its Thai street food menu READ OUR REVIEW HERE with a mix of instantly recognisable classics like Massaman and Penang curries to some more unusual offerings such as honey marinated pork stir fried noodles, fiery drunken noodles or cucumber salad with a sweet, sour and spicy dressing. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Sherborne Arms, North Leach – borderline Oxfordshire but as it hails from the Tom Noest and Peter Creed stable of amazing Oxfordshire pubs, (they already have The Bell at Langford, The Lamb in Shipton and The Little Bell at Soho Farmhouse), it needs including. READ OUR REVIEW HERE Expect a discerning crowd, historic pub, laidback hospitality and some incredible but nostalgic food. VOTE HEREhttps://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Summertown Wine Bar – Stirling work has been carried out by wine aficionados from Grape Minds to open this new wine bar. It’s a huge space so has enjoyed numerous pop-ups, theatre shows, music and wine tastings there as well as serving some great and well priced vino. Full feature to follow. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Three Horseshoes, Asthall – another Daylesford entry and the most recent to reopen after a full refurb, the welcoming interior and comfort-food style menu providing the perfect retreat from everyday life. Full review to follow. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Three Horseshoes, Witney – Such an uplifting success story! READ ABOUT IT HERE Previously sister pub to The Hollybush opposite, both were put up for lease last year, former employee Tommy Higgs taking on The Three Horseshoes and making an immediate success of it, helped by the appointment of head chef Matt Laughton (the esteemed former head chef at The Swan at Swinbrook). VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
Wilding, Little Clarendon Street – another strong contender, the appointment of new head chef Ben Wood and a big refit, have transformed this restaurant, cafe and wine shop into a gourmet hotspot. READ ABOUT IT HERE Think sharing plate style menus and some really high calibre food which have whipped Oxford’s gourmets into a frenzy. VOTE HERE https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
You can only vote once in each category, so keep voting every day in all 10 categories! Voting ends at the beginning of May. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/9ubmiyeh
