THEY truly are the crème de la crème.

The people behind Christchurch's top cafe's and restaurants celebrated another successful year serving up delectable food and wine with immaculate service in an Oscar-style ceremony at the Captain's Club Hotel on Monday evening.

As part of the Christchurch Food & Wine Festival, the Daily Echo Best of the Best Awards were celebrated by more than 120 people, with the winners including the Lord Bute Hotel and Restaurant and the Scullery Tearooms, which both picked up two awards each.

Jane Dean, who runs the Scullery Tearooms in Lymington Road, Highcliffe, with her two daughters Laura and Emma, won Best Cafe or Tearoom as well as the award for the Best Service.

She said: "We didn't think we had a chance against all the places that were nominated. We've only been running a year and it is just the three of us who work here - a real family affair.

"It's been a really good year for us and we have worked so hard to make it happen. This award makes it all worth it. We are so grateful - I think we'll be on a high for a while yet!"

The double AA-rosette restaurant, the Lord Bute at Highcliffe, also picked up two awards, winning Best Restaurant and Best Sunday Lunch.

Simon Bot, joint owner of the Michelin-recommended restaurant, said: "We are all absolutely thrilled. It is a credit to all of our staff."

The Nelson at Mudeford picked up Best Pub with the award for Best Takeaway going to the Spice House on Barrack Road. Splinters in Christchurch walked away with the trophy for Best Business Lunch.

Riverside Sopley Mill won the Best Family Friendly establishment and Young Chef of the Year went to Jamie Fanger at the Crooked Beam Restaurant.

Mary Reader, president of the Food Festival presented two special awards to Ian Hewitt, head chef at the Cliffhanger café, and Shelley Gorham, regional advertisement manager for Newsquest Hamp-shire.

The President's Awards are given to people who would not normally be recognised in a specific category but have gone the extra mile and given something special to the festival.

The festival continues until Sunday evening.