Whitley Bay's Elder and Wolf wins prestigious national award

Elder and Wolf's Owain Davies and Tyree Waterston (right) celebrate their Best Newcomer Restaurant Outside London award at the British Kebab Awards. Picture by Mehmet Er

Family-run Elder and Wolf, in Whitley Bay, took home the Best Newcomer Outside London award at the British Kebab Awards, the first time the North East had been represented at the awards.

The establishment, run by Tyree Waterston and Owain Davies, had also been shortlisted in three other categories – Best Kebab House Outside London, Best Value and Best Fine Dining – at the fifth annual awards ceremony.

Members of the public were invited to nominate their favourite kebab shops, with those whittled down to a shortlist based on the number of public votes received with bonus points for nominations from MPs.

More than 1,200 guests including over 50 MPs and Lords attended the VIP-studded ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London, with headline sponsor Just Eat.

Tyree said: “We genuinely have a real passion for food and we cook everything we make in a huge real wood burning oven and the support from local people has been incredible.

““Our menu ranges from handmade rustic flatbreads, platters and pizza to our infamous posh kebabs and we are so proud to work with other local Whitley Bay businesses.”

British Kebab Awards and Bira creator Ibrahim Dogus said: “Every year we see the competition get tougher so I congratulate every kebab business that won a British Kebab Award.”

“MPs got behind their kebab shops and restaurants by the dozen with more than 40 nominating businesses in their constituencies and that’s great to see. I look forward to seeing what the contenders serve up in 2018.”

Graham Corfield, UK managing director of Just Eat, said: “On behalf of Just Eat, I would like to congratulate all of the winners on receiving a British Kebab Award in 2017.

“It is a phenomenal achievement in what are well established and highly competitive fields.

“The kebab businesses that have succeeded this year serve as shining examples within their local communities and, at the same time, support the thriving UK kebab industry. The award for every winner is hugely deserved.”