TOP eateries across Cheshire have been rewarded after thousands of diners cast their votes in a contest staged by Nantwich Food and Drink Festival organisers.

The third Dining Out Awards attracted a large crowd of hotel, restaurant, pub and café owners to a presentation ceremony at Rookery Hall Hotel.

And there was success on a plate for the third year running for hosts Rookery Hall which carried off the best Hotel Restaurant prize.

The scheme asked discerning diners to nominate and vote for their favourite venue based on the quality of food, ambience and welcome.

Romazzino in Nantwich was named top restaurant while the White Lion in Hankelow was best pub with food.

Best Café food was Enzo in Nantwich and the Taste of Nantwich coffee award went to Harrison’s on High Street.

Festival chairman Deborah Robb, a cookery book author, said: “The gastronomic delights of this area are plentiful and as a committee of people dedicated to raising the profile of local food, we were thrilled to see so many people take the time to vote for their favourite eatery on festival website.”

A record 3000 people logged on to cast their votes in the run-up to this year’s crowd-pulling festival.

Nominated were 50 dining establishments within a 15-mile radius of Nantwich town centre.

Plans are already in full swing for 2014’s festival taking place September 5-7.

For more information visit www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk