Swanage restaurateurs, Sally Poole and Lou Condie have won the Independent Food and Drink category at the Successful Women in Business Awards.
Up against competition from across the South West they were announced as winners at the online awards ceremony on Wednesday 9th December 2020.
The independent food and drink category, sponsored by Dorchester-based drinks company, Fordington Gin had four finalists. They were wine merchants, Morrish and Banham, chocolatier, ChocAmi, Little Pickle Deli Cafe and the Bliss Food Co.
Overjoyed at hearing they had won
Lou Condie who is head chef and Sally Poole who runs the front of house were overjoyed at hearing that they were the winners. In their acceptance speech over Zoom, they said:
“Thank you so much – it means so much. Hospitality is very hard anyway and at this time with Covid restrictions, it’s doubly hard, so this is just perfect!”
The pair ran their catering business in Swanage for over 14 years and then in 2017 they opened the Bliss Food Co restaurant in Kings Road East.
The team at Bliss Food Co
“Beige food or beige taste is just not the Bliss way!”
Lou said:
“Being notified we were finalists felt like such a lovely compliment. And to think that the reason we set up Bliss Food Co in the first place was because we hated seeing beige food at parties! All we ever wanted to give people colourful, tasty food – beige food or beige taste is just not the Bliss way!”
Sally added:
“After the year we have endured, having to close for lockdown, then preparing PPE and social distancing measures for reopening, experiencing a very busy August and then shutting the doors once more, this is a welcome recognition of our achievements.
“The impact of the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women”
Founder of the Successful Women in Business Network and organiser of the awards, Gill Donnell MBE said:
“The business world is full of hugely talented and successful women who not only run businesses, or work in demanding roles, but they often also juggle caring responsibilities at the same time. This year the impact of the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women, particularly those running their own business.
“These awards recognise and celebrate the success of those women and their positive impact on the wider community. Congratulations to all of our wonderful winners!”
More information
- The Bliss Food Co has details of how to book and its menus on its website
- Successful Women in Business (SWIB) is a membership organisation for women who want to grow their businesses or develop their careers with the support of other women. More information is on its website
Sally Poole and Lou Condie
