BUSINESSES based in Towyn, Conwy and Gwynedd were among the winners at the 2022 Welsh Restaurant Awards.

CJ Taco, on Sandbank Road, Towyn, was named Mexican restaurant of the year at last night’s (November 7) awards, which was held at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel and Spa.

Indulge Restaurant, Llandudno (best of North Wales); Ty Asha Balti House, Llanrwst (Bangladeshi restaurant of the year); Sheeps and Leeks, Caernarfon (restaurant team of the year); and Ling’s Restaurant, Bangor (buffet restaurant of the year) were also winners last night.

For the full list of winners, go to: creativeoceanicblog.wordpress.com/2022/11/07/the-winners-of-the-3rd-welsh-restaurant-awards-2022-are-revealed.

CJ Taco, was created during one of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020 by Craig Wilson and his fiancée, Jen.

A Mexican/Filipino restaurant which started as a takeaway service, this is the first award it has been in the running for.

Both Craig, with 12 years’ experience as a chef and Jen, who moved to the UK from the Phillippines aged 14 and taught herself to cook, attended last night’s ceremony.

They were both as shocked to win as they were delighted.

Jen said: “We weren’t expecting it! We were just there to have a good time, and a few drinks.

“We were overwhelmed, and thankful enough to be nominated. But to win the award, in only our second year running the business, feels very rewarding.

“I taught myself to cook, and we’ve combined our ideas and it’s just taken off from there, really. We were getting so many orders that it became unmanageable from home!”

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Craig added: “It was a good night, but we weren’t going there to win anything. We were shocked.

“To be nominated was an achievement in itself, so to win was incredible.”

Sonny Walker, owner of Indulge, added: "Winning this award was amazing. 

"After having recent success, winning some top awards, I thought the feeling would feel less special, but I was wrong.

"We are so proud of not just ourselves, but our team especially, without whom it wouldn't be possible."

Patagonia Welsh Roots, a steakhouse on Prestatyn’s High Street, was also among the 10 nominees for Mexican restaurant of the year.

Though they did not win, they did receive a "highly commended" accolade.

Owner Julie Hyslop said: "It's great that we got in the top 10 of something, which is still amazing, and the 'highly commended' award obviously recognises our achievements."

On winning restaurant team of the year, Sheeps and Leeks added: “We are over the moon to have won restaurant team of the year.

“We have such a great hard working and passionate team here at Sheeps and Leeks.”