Bristol based Sandwich Sandwich is the Uber Eats UK and Ireland’s Restaurant of the Year, triumphing above thousands of independent eateries for the title. The news was unveiled at an awards ceremony in London this evening, which saw Sandwich Sandwich taking home £100,000 to invest in their business.
This year’s Awards has focused on supporting the independent businesses who have been at the coalface of the difficult economic conditions the country has faced. A recent Uber Eats survey of its restaurant partners found that 65% of merchants feel they are short staffed, while 70% cite inflation and 64% energy costs as being amongst their primary business concerns.
Following several rounds of public voting, Sandwich Sandwich took part in an intensive judging day with fellow national finalists from across the UK and Ireland. Sandwich Sandwich’s impressive menu helped them win over a panel of judges, including Prue Leith and Monica Galetti, who deliberated and came to a joint conclusion on the ultimate winner.
Josh Kleiner, Owner at Sandwich Sandwich said: “It is difficult to put into words how much being announced as the winner of the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Awards means to us. The process has been so exciting from start to finish and it has been incredible to take part alongside the other finalists. Big shout out to our restaurant team back home in Bristol, our family and of course Uber Eats for the support in getting us to this moment. This investment will make our ambitions to grow as a family business a reality.”
Matthew Price, Regional General Manager of Uber Eats in UKI and Northern Europe said: “Huge congratulations to Sandwich Sandwich, the winner of our Restaurant of the Year, who saw off stiff competition from thousands of other restaurants to be crowned the winner! It has been a very challenging time for small restaurants up and down the country which have faced skyrocketing food costs and energy bills. We want to play our role in helping to support and champion the best small businesses and under-represented groups within the restaurant industry through our awards.”
All of the regional finalists from across the UK will receive a support package from Uber Eats to further accelerate their growth on Uber Eats, with the finalists and Pioneer and Innovator winners sharing a prize pot of £100,000 between them.
Minister for Small Businesses Kevin Hollinrake said: “Congratulations to the finalists of the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Awards. These businesses exemplify the talent and hard work that can be found in restaurants up and down the UK. As small business Minister, I know that SMEs are resilient, hardworking cornerstones of our communities and I’m pleased to see so many continuing to thrive and grow. We are working closely with the business community to ensure they have the tools at their disposal to flourish.”
Dame Prue Leith, cook, restaurateur, TV presenter and author, said: “I am thrilled to be part of the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Awards for the second year of the programme. I was hugely impressed by all of the finalists, and by the food they served on the judging day. That from Sandwich Sandwich was particularly imaginative, inventive and delicious. I’m delighted to hear of their ambition to open additional restaurants. Their menu is fresh, full of flavour, healthy and extremely varied. There’s something for everyone on there.”
During the ceremony, applications were also opened for the 2024 Uber Eats Black Business Fund, which will see £250,000 of grants distributed to 25 Black-owned restaurants across the UK – with at least half of the money going to businesses outside London.
Find out more about Sandwich Sandwich on their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
