Dobson & Parnell wins ‘Taste of the North East’ award at virtual event

Newcastle restaurant, Dobson & Parnell has secured the ‘Taste of the North East’ award at the virtual North East Tourism Awards 2020.

The restaurant, which is just off Newcastle’s Quayside, was among a host of tourism firms from across the region who were celebrated as the business community came together online to celebrate the quality and diversity of the local tourism industry.

The format of the awards was tweaked this year to be more closely aligned with the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence and reflect innovations across the industry.

Winners of the North East Tourism Awards will be put forward to the national VisitEngland Awards for 2020.

Each of the shortlisted businesses went through a thorough judging process, focused on experiencing their offer first-hand.

As well as being evaluated by a judging panel made up of industry experts, planned visits by judges or ‘mystery shoppers’ helped to inform the final decisions.

Dobson & Parnell was awarded Taste of the North East after judges described its “amazing experience in terms of the quality of the food and service with particular note of its tasting menu and matched wines.”

The restaurant was opened in 2016 by Andy Hook alongside Troy Terrington as chef patron.

The restaurant offers casual dining with creative, seasonal British and European cuisine. It is listed in the Michelin, Good Food and Hardens Guides and provides set, a la carte or tasting menus in an elegant Victorian dining room.

Andy Hook, managing director said: “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have won this award and to be acknowledged as the best restaurant in the region by tourism experts especially as our sister restaurant, Blackfriars held the title the year previously.

“These are really challenging times for the industry and we hope we can adapt and grow in the future as our world changes when lock down ends.”