We have a Dogs Dinner Winner!

Dogs of all shapes and sizes were welcomed to Cecconi’s restaurant at Brighton’s Soho House on Saturday 9 August to judge the annual BITE Sussex Dogs Dinner competition, writes Nick Mosley.

Local chefs were challenged to create a dog-friendly snack for the panel of 14 canine critics who – literally – wolfed down the creative entries from restaurants including Nostos in Palmeira Square, The Winkle in the Kings Road Arches and Cecconi’s.

Hosted by well-known local face and TV vet, Dr Marc Abraham OBE, the owners, dogs and chefs all had a fun morning making new furry friends.

Dr Abraham, who is based at The Mewes Vets in Rottingdean said: “The Dogs Dinner at Cecconi’s was the perfect start to the weekend. Lots of lovely, pampered pooches showing just how wonderful, colourful and kind a dog-friendly terrace can be”.

“This fun and unique competition also raised a few quid to help rescue dogs and cats at our local RSPCA Brighton shelter too. All in all a terrific event!”

After stiff competition the dog-led tasting panel decided the winner – which was independently verified by two adjudicators – was chef Adriana Rios from Soho House.

The prize was a hand-painted ‘Dogs Dinner Winner’ bowl – gifted by the Painting Pottery Café in North Laine – to proudly display at the winner’s restaurant.

“Hosting the Dogs Dinner competition was the perfect way to announce the launch of our dog-friendly terrace at Cecconi’s”, said Christian Glover, general manager of Soho House.

“Our restaurant has been open to the public for a few months now, so for guests to be able to enjoy food and drink alongside their dogs on our sunny seafront terrace is a real bonus. As a dog-owner myself, I know the eastern seafront from the pier to the marina is really popular with dog walkers so Cecconi’s will be a perfect stopping off point”.

At the close of the event, doggy bags packed with goodies from It’s The Dog’s were handed out as a reward for judging. All participants volunteered their time and resources to the event which raised £230 for the RSPCA Brighton branch.

“At RSPCA Brighton we are always happy to see more spaces becoming dog friendly”, said branch manager Jenny Eden.

“It was fantastic to see the dogs taste testing gourmet treats and raising money to help the dogs we care for who haven’t got loving homes”.

“We are very grateful to Soho House and BITE Sussex for helping us as a small local charity raise extra money when the demand for rescue spaces has never been higher”.

All photos by Julia Claxton @eyejewels