WINNERS of the Christchurch Food Festival industry awards have been announced.

The Best of the Best-style awards were handed to the restaurant, cafes and food and drink connoisseurs at a ceremony held at the East Close Country Hotel recently.

Mystery shoppers visited the eateries over the past few months to judge them on a range of criteria before deciding on the winners.

Each winner received an engraved glass trophy.

Festival organisers have already started planning the 2018 event, and chairman Sue Harmon-Smith, said: “We are so much more than just a weekend of the street market and festival village.

"We work closely with the businesses to promote their events throughout May which has always been an important aspect of the festival.

"However, now with these awards we can encourage the amazing businesses we are lucky enough to have in Christchurch to help them achieve even more and promote their eateries year-round."

The winners were

Best Coffee Mocha Turtle at Purewell Electrical

Friendliest Welcome Loch & Quay

Best Outside Dining Experience The Boathouse

Best Afternoon Tea The Upper Deck at the Christchurch Harbour Hotel

Best Independent Eatery Pure Cuisine

Best Food/Drinks Producer Pothecary Gin

Best Bar Venue Bodega

Best Bartender Lilly Hurst from The Kitchen at the Chewton Glen Hotel

Hospitality Personality Niloofar Hoy from the Captain’s Club Hotel

President’s Award Gill McCormick