Search for the nation's food heroes sees eight local nominations

For some time Chiswick has retained its crown as the culinary capital of West London however, our renowned food scene is about to take to the centre nationwide with UKTV’s Food Heroes. Earlier this month Great Food Live, UKTV Food’s daily show launched the inaugural Local Hero Awards.

Celebrating home-grown success, the awards are a tribute to everyone who puts great British produce onto plates, into our shops and markets, and on pub and restaurant tables.  Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes is leading the search and with over 1,000 nominations already, it’s going to be a competition worth winning.

With no less than eight Chiswick outlets – seven of which are on Turnham Green Terrace – amongst the nominees, it is proof that we have some of the finest food retailers in the country.

Foubert’s has been given a five star rating as has Andreas Georghiou & Co, Macken Brothers, Mortimer & Bennet and Grove Park Deli. Convent Garden Fishmongers, Fabouche and Theobroma Cacao have all been nominated but are as yet unrated.

Dan Mortimer of Mortimer and Bennett (pictured left) said "The awards are a great challenge and lots of fun. So far we will have been photographed twice now by UKTV Food and the video is up and running on our site. In the shop we are doing a big push to get our customers to vote, I hope they all are but you never know!"

Local restauranteur Sam Harrison said "We’re so lucky in Chiswick to have such a variety of independents. I can’t think of anywhere else in London that has the range of quality produce we have on our doorstep. The likes of Mortimer & Bennett, Macken Brothers are the others listed are without a doubt excellent. I believe that as a community we should support these traders, they certainly warrant it and yes I have already placed my votes!"

To vote for your favourite local food hero or to nominate one that hasn’t yet made the list, click here.

August 2, 2006