A RESTAURANT in Ponteland has been shortlisted for an Estrella Damm National Restaurant Award.
Eleven is a modern British restaurant, opened in 2021 by chefs Danny Land, Ryan Carr and front of house manager Stephen Pitfield.
The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards are a prestigious annual celebration of the UK's best restaurants.
Danny said the award ceremony will take place in London on Monday, June 13.
He said: "The award ceremony is the largest gathering of the UK's top chefs and restauranteurs and on the evening of the awards they reveal a list of the 100 best restaurants in the UK, voted for by their academy of chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and critics.
"As well as this, there is personalised awards for Chef of the Year, Chef to Watch, Opening of the Year and a few more."
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Eleven has been shortlisted for the new Food Lovers Award.
"It's a public vote as appose to the top 100 list. The vote gives the chance for the public to vote for their favourite place to eat out, so we are absolutely honoured that we have received enough votes to be shortlisted for this," Danny said.
Eleven was mentioned in the distinguished Michelin Guide after only 15 weeks of trading.
"It's great to be recognised, particularly nationally, with this award. It's a nice feeling, because at the end of the day this restaurant, as is any other, is an expression of ourselves and the food we like to cook and eat.
"To know that not only do other people want to eat our food but enjoy it too, it's a great feeling and makes us only want to push harder to achieve more. The business is still so young, and there is so much more we want to achieve yet."
Danny said because of this, they aren't getting carried away with their success.
"I think any success is the same, through seriously hard work, desire and a willingness to never give up.
"Success is a combination of getting all the small things right, not just one big thing, and we strive every day to make sure everything we do is the best it can be. We will always be this way and I really believe if you do that, you've got a good chance of creating something people will enjoy."
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