The finalists have been announced for the Taste of East of England award, sponsored by Adnams, at the East of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023

This award recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer food, beverage and service innovation and excellence.

Here are the finalists for this year's award.

River Green Restaurant

River Green is a vegan restaurant situated in the Norfolk village of Trowse on the outskirts of Norwich.

Specialising in local, seasonal produce, head chef Chris Avey creates a daily changing menu of plant-based dishes celebrating ingredients from as close to home as possible.

River Green opened in 2011 and Chris joined as head chef in 2015, becoming a director in 2016 and taking sole ownership in 2017. In 2018, the restaurant was a finalist in the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards. Chris also created his first teaching kitchen in the restaurant that year.

In 2021 and 2022, Chris and sous chef Hannah Stroud received three silver medals at the International Salon Culinaire chef’s competition.

The restaurant decided to go fully vegan in 2020 – revisiting its recipes and prioritising British-grown over imported goods.

River Green has always been about serving delicious food without causing harm to animals, people or the environment. It joined the Proudly Norfolk scheme in 2017 and uses seasonal produce from Meadow Harvest, a market garden in Keswick, near Norwich.

The judges commended the “amazing food” and value for money at River Green – adding that the chef coming to check guests were happy with their meal is a “very nice touch to the dining experience”.

The Comet: the Unruly Pig serves ‘Britalian’ food – fresh, seasonal British food with an Italian influencethe Unruly Pig serves ‘Britalian’ food – fresh, seasonal British food with an Italian influence (Image: Claudia Gannon)

The Unruly Pig

The Unruly Pig is an award-winning gastropub located in the Suffolk village of Bromeswell, near Woodbridge.

Opened in 2015 by Brendan Padfield, the pub prides itself on offering fine dining but in a relaxed and fun setting. It serves ‘Britalian’ food – fresh, seasonal British food with an Italian influence.

The pub’s customer profile varies hugely – from staycation tourists and second-home owners to those who travel just to eat there.

The Unruly Pig was named ‘Winner’ and Number One in the Estrella Damm UK Top 50 Gastropub Awards 2022. It was also named Dining Pub of the Year 2021 by The Good Pub Guide and awarded ‘Best Food’ at the Great British Pub Awards 2021.

This has seen it attract a regional and national customer base, while also gaining tourist customers for other local accommodation businesses.

The judges commended the Unruly Pig’s “superb” website, which they said does a good job of showing the pub’s offering.

They also commented on the “lovely, friendly welcome” on arrival at The Unruly Pig and were very impressed with its creative, well-presented food.

The Comet: Tuffon Hall Vineyard has 15,000 vines, including 3,000 new Pinot Gris vines planted in 2022Tuffon Hall Vineyard has 15,000 vines, including 3,000 new Pinot Gris vines planted in 2022 (Image: @elliecxptures)

Tuffon Hall Vineyard

Tuffon Hall is a modern, boutique vineyard located in Sible Hedingham, near Halstead, in Essex.

The Crowther family has farmed on the site for over 100 years – from its roots of growing malting barley for local beer and whisky, to classic Champagne varieties; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and Bacchus that it first planted in 2011.

Over the last four years, it has planted additional vines and now has a total of 15,000, including 3,000 new Pinot Gris vines planted in 2022. All of its vines are worked by hand, with no machine-picking.

The vineyard hosts public tours and tastings in its recently converted 400-year-old barn, which also lends itself as a beautiful wedding venue.

Having adapted during the pandemic, Tuffon Hall maintained relationships with customers by offering virtual tastings. In April 2022, it opened the doors of its six-bedroom farmhouse for staycations, combining an escape with learning about English wine.

The judges noted the “excellent wine offering of different varieties” at Tuffon Hall, adding that it’s a “fantastic venue to showcase the offering.

They were also very impressed with the “efficient and friendly staff.


The winners of the East of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023 will be announced at a black-tie event held at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall Hotel, Ipswich, Suffolk​ on Thursday, March 16.

To view the full East of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023 finalists supplement, please click here.