Long Eaton street food vendor picks up award

The owner of a borough-based business is celebrating after picking up a 2022 Good Food Award Blue Ribbon - the only cafe in the area to pick up such an honour.

As a chef for Rolls Royce, Phil Lombardi provided food for staff across Derby City but when the pandemic struck and lockdown was in place in 2020, he decided that, as soon as possible, he would open a cafe in Long Eaton in College Street and later also started selling food from a van to businesses in the town.

The Good Food Awards recognise those who strive for culinary excellence within their field and are free to enter, but based entirely on merit with customers having submitted their votes.

Thanking all of his customers for their support, Phil said that receiving the award was a proud moment for both him and his catering assistant Julie Paling adding that they both put their "heart and soul" into it, and that being recognised in that way meant that the business was getting recognised more closely.  

He also emphasised that the business was not in the town centre, so it was additionally pleasing that people were willing to vote for them, and recognising that they would be busier with a town centre site, the award had nevertheless meant that, as far as he was concerned, they were moving in the right direction.

The challenge of the pandemic on his plans to set up the business was countered by the reaction from the people of Long Eaton who he said made it all worthwhile.  Phil said that the local residents rallied throughout and enabled the cafe to come through and out of the otherside.

With the current tough times caused by the cost-of-living crisis, Phil has seen a much quieter cafe but said that business remains good and that he is trying to keep this going by not changing prices to help local people through the latest period in response to their help and support offered during the pandemic.

Future plans include those to expand operations and reach an aspiration of setting up another cafe in Nottingham.