The OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS are back! We will be celebrating our sixth OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS ceremony at The North Wall on June 29, with a fabulous after party at OXTWO in Summertown, and the famous ‘morning after’ breakfast at Dishoom on June 30 in Oxford.
Sponsored by headliners Wise Investment, Jolly Foods, The Oxford Collection and SOMA Collab, as well as Oxford Fine Dining, Grape Minds, Dishoom and Tap Social, the voting has kicked off, with a different category released every day.
Here to give Oxfordshire’s hospitality industry a much needed boost, a massive pat on the back and the recognition and attention it deserves after such a difficult year, we have really pushed the boat out. And all we need you to do is vote for your favourites.
So welcome to the OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS 2026 and here is our ninth category BEST CHEF 2026. VOTE HERE: https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
In alphabetical order, the Best Chef 2026 nominees are:
Adam Harris, TORO, Highway, Burford. Made a big impression when we visited earlier this year, his tapas menus so spot on they left us speechless, which is a first. He doesn’t fuss but lets the ingredients speak for themselves and yet the depth of flavour and sophistication evident in the simplest of dishes is pretty impressive. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Aimee Collins – Five Little Pigs, Wallingford – Her menus are like no-one else’s; nostalgic, whimsical, fiercely seasonal and sustainable, from the cocktails through to brunch, all day dining, and suppers, it’s always a joy to delve into her cooking and see what surprises she has up her stylish sleeve. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Andrew Carr – The Yurt at Nicholsons, North Aston – Soaring high thanks to a Bib Gourmand, he continually embraces the restaurant’s sustainability credentials while injecting his own inventive and relevant take into the menus. Hard to get a table these days, his reputation now precedes him. A destination venue in its own right regardless of its high end garden centre location. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Andy Lewis – Sir Charles Napier, Chinnor – Garnering a hefty following on Instagram thanks to his introduction of new dishes, plating up and even butchery, his passion for his craft and enthusiasm is unquestionable. Dedicated to ensuring the Sir Charles Napier stays put on the culinary map, we are very grateful, as anyone who’s experienced his food will vouch for, while attracting a whole bunch of new foodies along the way. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Ashleigh Farrand, Kingham Plough – Paving the way for young women going into the hospitality industry, she became head chef aged just 23 and has been proving her worth ever since, as seen on BBC’s Great British Menu, and in the historic pub where her playful take on British classics is going down a treat. #bemoreashleigh. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Ben Watson, Golden Ball, Lower Assendon – Taking on a gastropub and changing it up without upsetting the equilibrium is no mean feat but here Ben’s modern European menus are blended with Punjabi influences to reflect his wife Priya’s heritage. But then having previously worked at Core by Clare Smyth, Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social and Little Social, The Square and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, he’s the right man for the job. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Hendrik Dutson-Steinfeld, Duck On The Pond, South Newington – Hugely motivated and inventive, his taster menus don’t hold back in their unpredictability and brilliance. Always pushing forward, he uses as much produce from their own gardens as possible. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
James Erasmus, Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote – His CV is impressive with The Ledbury and La Columbe in Cape Town in hand, but in moving to this quintessential Cotswolds pub he’s really stretched his culinary muscles, his ambitions boundless, and his South African influences evident. One to watch! Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Jay Bartlett, Corn Room, Witney – new, young and still learning, Jay’s concentration and unwavering focus has already silenced any critics, the happy diners at the new Witney restaurant enormously appreciative of his extensive and exciting menus which come pouring out, despite the small kitchen space. The new kid on the block. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Johnny Parke – Back Lane Tavern, Woodstock and OXTWO Summertown – Heading up Summertown’s new restaurant while concurrently running the team in Woodstock, he’s got a lot on his plate at the moment, but embracing the challenge with gusto and great finesse, his customers in both will vouch for his gastronomic flair, drive and continual reinvention. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Luke Rawicki, Nest, The Feathers, Woodstock – his attention to detail and huge skillset continue unabated, his inventive menus celebrating seasonal produce, local ingredients and classic flavours with a contemporary twist. Think confit chalk stream trout with ratte potato, chive and buttermilk or the brown butter poached hake with a coconut nage, celery and lovage, and you’ll get a handle on where this young chef is heading. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Mark Chandler, White Hart, Fyfield – currently heading up the kitchens at this historic and hugely popular pub, he can also often be found in the gardens growing his own produce. The chef patron knows what his customers expect – high standards, excellent ingredients and a farm to fork ethos, which he provides with great dexterity and versatility. https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Mike North – Nut Tree, Murcott. Where would we be without him? Without a Michelin star for one, but having dined there recently his endurance and ongoing adaptability is hugely admirable. let alone the sheer joy his food brings. Never letting his principles or standards slip he leads by example as he continues to push himself fowards. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Nat Berney, The Lamb, Little Milton – Having hidden his light under Le Manoir’s bushel, Nat has come into his own here, this ancient village pub offering him the freedom to make his own mark. Making quite an impression, Michelin having noticed. thanks to him this is now a foodie destination must. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Oliver McEwan, Le Petit Doigt, Abingdon – chef patron at this ingenious new 12-seat, fine-dining destination, he cooks a constantly changing 10 course degustation menu for all, taking his inspiration from local seasonal produce, history and his own whims. The reviews have been sensational and by mixing things up and doing things his way, he’s shaking up the culinary landscape in great style. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Owen Little, No 1 Ship Street – as a co-founder, he prefers to keep out of the limelight, but he’s still the boss in the kitchens at this much loved Oxford restaurant, producing endless high end and delectable offerings for a discerning clientele. Famous for their fish, shellfish and offal he doesn’t bow to trends, sticking in his lane, Ship Street’s notoriety paying dividends. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Pascal Wiedemann, Pompette, Summertown – Having honed his skills with Henry Harris at Racine, then Terroirs with Ed Wilson and Six Portland Road, Pascal’s Alsace-Lorraine inspired menus are a joy to behold, and imbibe. All the classics served with flair and precision. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
Ryan and Liam Simpson-Trotman, Orwells, Shiplake – how we love these boys – their food is unbelievable. In terms of experimental and innovative cooking nothing is off the cards, the couple’s evident sheer inventory and delivery a delight. You never know what to expect, even though you’ve ordered it yourself, keeping their loyal customers continually on their toes. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
There are 10 categories and we will be announcing one every day for the next 10 days. These include BEST NEWCOMER, BEST PUB/BAR, BEST CAFE, BEST RESTAURANT, BEST VEGGIE/VEGAN OFFERING, BEST CHEF, BEST GASTROPUB, BEST CASUAL DINING, BEST INTERNATIONAL and OXFORDSHIRE HOSPITALITY WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The top four nominations from each category will be invited to the glittering ceremony where the winners will be announced, so get voting and pick your favourite.
You can only vote once in each category, so keep voting every day in all 10 categories! Voting ends mid June. Vote here https://www.surveyhero.com/c/yb3wicqj
