Two jubilant local businesses have scooped Cumbrian Best in Category gong at the England's Business Awards 2021, held in Carlisle.
Pedro's Casa, of Stricklandgate, Kendal, won the "Best Tapas Restaurant" and Farrer's Coffee shop, also of Stricklandgate, Kendal, won the prize for "Best Specialised Retailer", and have now been entered for the national awards, based next year in Manchester.
Karl Tchumak, co-owner of Pedro's Casa, said he didn't know who nominated them for the award, but didn't hide his delight at winning it:
"It's so nice to get a bit of recognition for what we do, because we do work from 11am to 11pm 6 days a week.
"We've worked so hard since me and Edina (Pongracz), Karl's partner who is the brains of the business, took over the lease nearly four years ago. We're now second best restaurant on Tripadvisor in Kendal, which really helps footfall of visitors."
Karl explained that the restaurant isn't tapas in the traditional Spanish style, the food being primarily Mexican, with burgers and pizzas available too:
"We don't call ourselves a tapas restaurant, we're more of a sharing restaurant, but we have to say tapas to people for them to understand the concept. At the same time some of the dishes are enormous!"
"We encourage a fun, laid-back atmosphere - people can wear hats and moustaches if they wish!
"We have a substantial menu, but 95-96 per cent is prepared freshly in-house, which is hard work, so to get recognition for our food is especially pleasing."
Just a short walk away sits fellow winner Farrers Tea and Coffee House, situated in a building oozing historical charm, and has been owned by the Grace family for around 30 years.
The business is now completely independent of Farrers coffee roasters in Kendal, and owner Rebekah Grace spoke of her surprise at winning the award and how the business has evolved in recent years:
"The cafe's always been the main breadwinner, so we were surprised to win the Specialised Retailer rather than the Cafe award, but since lockdown we've adapted the coffee shop and made it into more of a specialist food deli.
We also roast our own coffee, selling around 25 and sell over 100 teas, so that does make us quite specialised!"
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here