Hosts with the most honoured at Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards

THE stars of East Yorkshire's tourism industry have been honoured in a prestigious awards ceremony.

The Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (Reytas) last night rewarded the hard work of staff at major visitor attractions and family-run pubs.

In a speech at the awards dinner at Willerby's Mercure Hotel, Visit Hull and East Yorkshire tourism manager Andy Gray said: "The Reytas were created to recognise and reward both quality and achievement and this evening provides us with an opportunity to celebrate success and showcase all that is remarkable about tourism in Hull and East Yorkshire."

Businesses could enter 13 categories for their chance to win.

Each entry was judged by a mystery shopper who visited anonymously.

Winners included the Goodmanham Arms, which picked up the Remarkable Pub prize, sponsored by Hull Daily Mail publisher Mail News and Media.

Assistant editor Jamie Macaskill said: "Our region's pubs have so much to offer in terms of great food, top ales and excellent service.

"The Mail is pleased to support an award that recognises their contribution to East Yorkshire's tourism industry.

"It was a category we enjoyed judging and although it was a close-run thing, we have a very worthy winner."

The pub, which narrowly triumphed over the Roos Arms, was described by its reviewer as "a superb little country pub boasting barrels of charm, character and atmosphere".

The reviewer said: "This is a pub that is committed to supporting local produce, providing excellent quality home-cooked food and an extensive range of great real ales from local breweries."

Landlord Vito Logozzi was at the black-tie dinner to collect his trophy.

The competition was particularly unusual for Amy Dickinson, whose business Potters Café and Bistro in Chanterlands Avenue, Hull, won the Remarkable Cuppa Award.

She faced off against her mum Elaine Townend, whose business Millers Tea Room in Raywell, was in the same category.

Ms Dickinson said: "It feels so great to have beaten my mum. I was so nervous. I think we won because we give great service and the food is great."

Another winner was Ferens Art Gallery, which picked up the Remarkable Visitor Attraction award.

Volunteer co-ordinator Kevin Delaney said: "It's fantastic. Our blockbuster exhibitions have helped a great deal but the people of Hull have a handle on heritage and it's a very popular gallery anyway."

The winners of each category will now be entered into a national draw, competing against the best leisure businesses across the country.

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The winners:

Remarkable Bed and Breakfast: Wolds Village

Remarkable Cuppa: Potters Café and Bistro

Remarkable Caravan Holiday Park or Holiday Village: Burton Constable Holiday Park and Arboretum

Remarkable Fayre: Staal Smokehouse

Remarkable Visitor Attraction: Ferens Art Gallery

Remarkable Self Catering Provider: Broadgate Farm Cottages

Remarkable Business Tourism: The Spa Bridlington

Remarkable Sustainable Tourism: High Barn Cottages

Remarkable Pub: Goodmanham Arms

Remarkable Hotel Accommodation: Hallmark Hotel

Remarkable Restaurant: Beverley Tickton Grange

Remarkable Tourism Experience or Event: Beverley Festival of Christmas 2012

Remarkable Passion: James MacKenzie, chef and owner of The Pipe and Glass Inn