#FtLionAwards 2022 Dessert of the Year shortlist

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Cona steakhouse in Bradford weren’t just been rated 5/5, but have been nominated for a starter and a veggie (both being the same dish), as well as a main, seafood, and grill. Their desserts weren’t an afterthought either with this unique Vanilla Cheesecake and its unbelievable texture being achieved by combining the two techniques of baking and setting.

What we got was unlike any cheesecake we’ve ever had before. With an almost silky-smooth texture, with the vanilla coming through in spades, and the cheese dissolving on the palate, we concluded at the time: “The best cheesecake we’ve ever had!” What’s more, it was elevated by the zesty-fruitiness of the strawberry jam it came with.

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Driven by innovation, Cona substituted the classical ingredients of almonds and raspberry with pistachio and morello cherries to achieve this Pistachio Bakewell Tart and Pistachio Ice Cream. There’s nothing ordinary about the pistachio they use either, with Cona preferring the quality of either Sicilian bronte, Iranian or Californian – the three top producers of pistachio. The result is just building flavour upon flavour, culminating in a bakewell tart that’s staggeringly unique.

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Malay Fellas at Putera Puteri in London’s Queensway have a starter and seafood up for consideration, as well as this inhouse-made signature Pandan Creme Brulee.This was exceptionally good dessert was fragrance personified, with just enough sweetness to allow for the subtle vanilla aroma of those pandan leaves to come through with every bite. Exquisitely balanced, and a flavour profile for a creme brulee we’d never encountered before.

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Part of our Manchester Tour 2022, 5/5 Ribeye, who thus far have been nominated for a two grills, main, two veggies, two starters, and two beverages. But they also served us this Tiramisu with a cloud-like mousse texture, and a thin layer of saturated sponge for a base. And though this was perhaps slightly on the sweeter side, owing to the coffee not coming through as strongly as it could have; nevertheless, this was a delightful dessert in its own right.

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The above was followed by Ribeye by a Chocolate Bomb that was excellently executed, with the hidden dark chocolatey cake on the inside being brought to life by the pouring of the sweet caramel hot sauce to deliver a rich and decadent finale.

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Tagg Lane Dairy isn’t a restaurant, but a cafe in the middle of a rugged picturesque Derby landscape who, as an organic farm, use their onsite gelatory process to produce 60 inhouse made flavours. Astounding! This place’s gelatos and ice creams are second to none.

Theirs is velvety soft, and pulls away in silky smooth strands of airy goodness, which we simply couldn’t get enough of. They serve an ultra fresh product thanks to the use of local produce, including fresh farm fruits, and a fast turn over rate. Their award-winning 2-star Milk Chocolate, but also Royal Cherry, Dulce De Leche, Pistachio, and Honey Comb, were on another level.

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As part of our Birmingham Food Toour 2022, Tarragon Bistro in Hall Green, who have a beverage, a main, a seafood, and a grill up for consideration, served up a bread and butter pudding. But this was no ordinary one. Even before the tasting, it was obvious from simply slicing through this thing of beauty that we were in for a treat. Just the balance of sweetness was so well judged that we could have easily had two portions of this best seller. Light and caramelised bread which was decadently saturated in a rich buttery infusion, with the Chantilly cream, custard and raspberries playing their part in elevating this to unknown heights.