Northumberland’s only Michelin Star restaurant in the running for prestigious awards

Restaurant Hjem, in Wall, has been selected as one of the UK’s top 100 restaurants in the The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards 2021 while also being shortlisted at The Catey Awards 2021.

Restaurant manager, Ally Thompson, who runs the restaurant and adjoining pub, The Hadrian with her partner and Hjem head chef Alex Nietosvuori, said: “We were really delighted to get both these lovely pieces of news and everyone at Hjem is delighted.

“It’s a real honour to be in the mix at both of these respected events and we’re all really excited – not least because we might actually get to go to some real life award ceremonies instead of attending via a laptop in the Hjem kitchen!

“So many of these occasions have been held online over the past 16 months, so the thought of being able to sit alongside our industry peers and celebrate our collective successes is really quite a buzz!”

Launched in 2007, The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards celebrate the brilliance and vibrancy of the UK’s eating out scene, rewarding the very best chefs, front of house staff and restaurants from across the country.

Ally said: “Although you know you’re in the Top 100 – and obviously we’re thrilled to be in that club - there’s inevitably a real sense of anticipation before you find out where you’ve come.”

Restaurant Hjem’s renowned tasting menu has been selected as a finalist in the category of Best Menu at The Catey Awards 2021.

First held in 1984, the Awards have a long-held reputation for celebrating and signposting the cream of the UK’s hospitality sector, with previous winners including Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsey, Heston Blumenthal, Tom Kerridge and Brian Turner.

Ally said: “The Cateys are known as a benchmark of excellence throughout the hospitality industry and so it’s a real honour to have been recognised for the second year running – and of course it’s wonderful that it’s our tasting menu which has attracted the attention of the judges.”

The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards 2021 are scheduled to take place on August 16, while The Cateys 2021 are booked for September 7.

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