The Warrington Guardian Food and Drink Awards are back and each week we will be announcing the winners in a total of eight categories. The results follow a public vote on our website and on social media, meaning readers were directly involved in determining which businesses came out on top.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Winner: Ego, Stockton Heath

THE team at Ego have been busier than ever since opening their outdoor terrace last year.

But managers Rob Shaw, Lisa Williams and Emma Shaw have been determined not to let the Mediterranean restaurant’s growth impact the quality of the service they are known for.

The trio are supported by more than 40 ‘passionate individuals’ included 22 front of house staff and 20 employees behind the scenes including head chef Daniel Rudnick who has been running the kitchen for more than eight years.

General manager Rob, 35, a former Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School student, said: “Stockton Heath is a busy village and since we have had the terrace built on the front of our restaurant we have seen our volume increase massively.

“You would think that for such a high volume of trade we would be under a lot of stress to maintain our high standards but we absolutely love it and it is what we are all about.

“Don’t get me wrong, it took us a little while to find our feet and like any growing business we have had to adjust and adapt but as a team we have achieved this and we couldn’t have done it without their hard work.”

The most popular item on the menu at Ego Stockton Heath is the mixed meat estapada (hanging kebab) which around 105 customers order each week.

 

But the Walton Road eatery also offers separate and extensive vegan and gluten free menus so most dietary requirements are catered for.

Deputy manager Lisa, 25, who has worked at Ego for six years, said: “Stockton Heath has so much competition so we are ecstatic we have won the best customer service award.

“We have spent long days training all our staff to a very high standard and we are all over the moon this is being shown.”

Assistant manager Emma is a former Lymm High student and works at the restaurant alongside her husband Rob.

The 29-year-old added: “Here at Ego we live and breed a ‘we want to do more’ culture. We want to make the customers feel like extended family members.

“We have both a separate gluten free and vegan menu which is more popular than ever.

“We saw there was a need in the market to cater for the people who have more restricted diets and we are so glad our menus offer everyone a choice no matter the diet/allergy or lifestyle.”

WHAT YOU SAID

Katharine Douglas Furner said: “Ego Stockton Heath is consistently excellent food, plenty of choice, and friendly, helpful, professional staff – first class, first choice.”

Norman Cosgrove said: “Ego have always given help and advice with my choice of food due to a food allergy I have.”

YOUR FAVOURITE FIVE

1 Ego Stockton Heath

2 Delgados pizzeria, Penketh

Mary Gilchrist said: “Delgados in Penketh are second to none for excellent service and making customers feel welcome. Staff make a fuss of the kids, so you can take the children, have a lovely meal, relaxed in the knowledge that they will be welcome. They also let children make their own pizzas, which they love.”

3 Grill on the Square in the town centre

Anthony Woods said: “Grill on the Square has exceptional staff. No matter how often we attend we are treated like we are special.”

4 Las Ramblas Wine and Tapas in the town centre

Antony Jones said: “Staff were really helpful and patient with us as we changed our minds about what to order about five times. I blame the amount of choice on the menu!”

5 Bombay 8 Indian restaurant, Gemini 8

Abigail Reade said: “Staff were really lovely and friendly. Put petals all over our table when we came to sit down, kept making sure we were happy with our meals, even recommended dishes for us which were delicious and at the end of the meal, sent us home with more food.”