Best New Start-Up – Commended – Mac’s Diner, Owner, Anita McMahon

It was a treat to get dressed up and have a 3 course meal in the opulent surroundings of the Live Room at the rugby ground. Lyn Faulds Wood was on top form as presenter and with her husband Jon Stapleton they made an entertaining team hurrying us through the 40 awards to be presented. The speed in which the awards were announced added to the feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster, as one half of the local community craft market that Alan Winter set up at Mac’s Diner we were very excited to be nominated for the People’s Choice award, this was the first award to be announced and as we were just consoling ourselves for not winning I suddenly heard Mac’s Diner was a joint winner of a commendation in the New Business Start Up category. As Lyn informed us that we were in a particular tough category with lots of other entrants, myself and my fellow award winner from the Fallow Deer in Teddington took to the precarious steps to receive our award from Richmond and Twickenham Times Representative Elaine Osman and posed for photographs with Zac Goldsmith and Vince Cable,

Winning the award has already gained us publicity in local newspapers and online media and is a boost to staff morale. We are looking forward to let even more people know about the award winning restaurant on the first floor at 3 Cross Deep/Heath Road (opp. M&S) and promoting awareness of our quality food and the fantastic environment which is a resource for all the people of Twickenham.