TOP Penarth eateries have won awards at this year’s Food Awards Wales.

Restaurant James Sommerin had a double win at the event, taking the titles Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year.

And sweet-toothed venue The Crepe Escape took the award for Dessert Outlet of the Year.

In response to winning Chef of the Year for the second year running as well as nabbing the award for Restaurant of the Year, James Sommerin said: “I am absolutely over the moon with the awards and it means a huge amount that it’s a public vote. I am really humbled at winning Wales’ chef of the year for the second year running.

“Our motto is team work makes the dream work, these awards are testament to the hard work of the whole team at RJS.”

Speaking about the cafe’s win, owner of The Crepe Escape Alison Speirs-Jones said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked. We weren’t expecting to win at all as we were up against stiff competition.

“I want to thank everyone. Our staff work so hard and our customers are fantastic. I want to thank my family and everyone who has supported us. We have just celebrated our second birthday so this has been great news.

“It has been hard work and it is great to know that it has all been worthwhile.

“We were not expecting it and we are really pleased. We are also pleased for Penarth as well as there were many finalists from the area.

“It was amazing to see how well Penarth did.”

The Food Award Wales - which is now in its fourth year - welcomed more 300 guests at the Exchange Hotel in Cardiff on Monday in a celebration of the Welsh food industry.

The event aims to recognise the success of local professionals and establishments and the winners are chosen by members of the general public.

Irfan Younis, CEO of Creative Oceanic, who held the awards, said: “We are very delighted to have welcomed such great finalists and winners at the Food Awards Wales 2018 and we are very happy to hear from our guests that everyone had a lovely night.

“These awards aimed to acknowledge and thank those representing the Welsh food industry, enhancing its reputation nationally and internationally and we are delighted to see that our vision has been accomplished.”