The folk at GFG last night announced their restaurant of the year: Ramsons in Ramsbottom. The eatery is owned by Chris Johnson, who was noted for "his talent for sourcing traceable and seasonal ingredients from local suppliers as well as superb Mediterranean produce from Italy." Johnson's chef, Mary-Ellen McTague joined the restaurant last year, having previously worked her way up from chef de partie to sous chef at the Fat Duck. Like the self-taught Blumenthal, she hadn't been to catering college and fell into cooking after studying languages.
Ramsons won the accolade, beating the following shortlist of nine to the title:
Wales - Fairyhill, Reynoldston
East England - Great House, Lavenham
London - Pied à Terre
Midlands - Perkins, Plumtree
Northern Ireland - Bay Tree, Holywood
North East - Weavers Shed, Golcar
Scotland - Ee-Usk, Oban
South East - Hungry Monk, Jevington
South West - Allium, Fairford
Any opinions on the shortlist?
