LUXURY hotel Rookery Hall was the host and a major winner of the hotly-contested Nantwich Dining Out Awards 2011.
Its restaurant, which holds an AA two-Rosette accreditation for excellence, came out tops in the award scheme launched this year by organisers of the Nantwich Food and Drink Festival.
The scheme, backed by the Chronicle, asked discerning diners to nominate and then vote for their favourite venue based on the quality of food, ambience and welcome.
The four-star hotel at Worleston, part of the Hand Picked chain of top-class destinations, gained the largest share of votes in the 'hotel with dining' category.

It also hosted a presentation ceremony for winners in the Weaver Bar and Calveley Suite where the awards, and champagne courtesy of Rodney Densem Wines, were presented by the festival's new chairman Deborah Robb after welcome drinks and canapés.

Rookery Hall general manager, Stephen Fearnley, said: "It was a great honour to win the top restaurant award especially as the decision was made by the diners we serve and we want to thank them for taking the time and trouble to cast their votes in our favour."

More than 4,000 people logged onto the Food and Drink Festival website to register their votes through the summer and autumn months.

Runner up in the hotel category was Nunsmere Hall near Northwich and Hunters Lodge Hotel in Crewe third.

Winning Pub with Food was The Globe in Nantwich, with the Yew Tree at Bunbury second and the Black Lion in Nantwich third.

Top café was Nantwich Bookshop Coffee Lounge, Minshulls in Crewe second, Enzo in Nantwich third.

Piste in Tarporley and Gee's Kitchen in Sandbach were joint restaurant winners and Bon Amis Nantwich came third.

Mrs Robb, of Hatherton, said: "We were overwhelmed with the response to the first year of the awards, with 50 establishments nominated and over 4,000 votes cast.

“Rookery Hall was a very worthy winner and a generous host on the presentation night."

TOP HOTEL: Rookery Hall general manager Stephen Fearnley with head chef Mark Walker and waitress Nicola Farr and their Dining Out Award.