A top Scots chef has scooped a major UK award for his flagship fine-dining restaurant in the capital.
A very proud Dean Banks described the award win as an "incredible honour" after Dean Banks at the Pompadour was named the Restaurant of the Year - Outside of London at the annual Food and Travel Magazine Reader Awards.
The top restaurant at the iconic Waldorf Astoria Caledonian was praised for its tasting menu dining experience with the Scottish chef praising his team and thanking the voters for their help in the award win at the prestigious ceremony in London on Monday, January 16.
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Dean said: “This truly is an incredible honour, all the more so because it’s voted for by the people who matter most, the actual customers.
“This award is not for me, it’s for our amazing team who work so hard to deliver unforgettable experiences and food for everyone who comes to any of our restaurants.
“Like Haar St Andrews, The Pompadour celebrates the very best of fine dining in a tasting menu format and we are lucky to present our food in the most beautiful room, looking out on the Castle.
“Thank you to all of our team – you deserve this award and my endless admiration and gratitude for the dedication you show every single day in these difficult times, presenting my food and concepts so perfectly.”
The Dean Banks Group operates a number of restaurants and businesses across Scotland, from Haar and The Pompadour’s fine dining to casual neighbourhood spot Dulse in Edinburgh, and his new pub The Forager in Dollar. The hard-working chef has also teased a new spot in Glasgow set to open in the near future.
He believes awards like this provide an essential boost to the vital workers in the hospitality industry who are under such immense pressure right now. And the fact it’s voted for by customers rather than awarded by judges makes it all the more special.
“It’s hard out here at the moment with crippling utility and produce costs impacting every restaurant, people are worried," Dean added. “So this kind of vindication, an award voted for by customers with no agenda, just good taste, is a real boost to restaurants, to chefs and to the entire teams. Just knowing how much people appreciate what we do.
“It really makes all the hard work and stresses worthwhile. Thank you so much to Food and Travel Magazine and more so, to everyone who came in, enjoyed our food and took the time to vote for us. You don’t know how much it means to us all.
“And I would like to dedicate this award to Pat Greenhough, my second Mum who passed away last week. She would have been immensely proud to have seen me on the stage receiving such a prestigious award. Thank you, mum.”
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