Tees Valley is officially home to the UK�s best independent vegetarian restaurant. The Waiting Room in Eaglescliffe has won the highly prestigious Best Independent Restaurant in the United Kingdom award for 2008, from The Vegetarian Society.

The award was decided by mystery diner judges who visited in September, after the restaurant was shortlisted by customers voting for their favourite places to eat, and is the latest in a series of recent accolades for The Waiting Room. Earlier this year, the BBC and The Observer newspaper provided glowing endorsements, with the latter including the restaurant in its top 40 of all UK restaurants.

The judges were won over by the restaurant's honest rustic dishes with big natural flavours, and its confident, homely style.

The Waiting Room was chosen as a joint winner for this year's award ahead of scores of other high profile and contemporary restaurants.

Caroline Chisholm, Head of Communications at the Vegetarian Society said, "We're delighted to see that the North of England now boasts two of the best veggie restaurants in the UK. Congratulations to both the Waiting Room and Dandelion & Burdock (in West Yorkshire) for helping to break the mould."

It is certainly a major accolade for Tees Valley, which is increasing its cultural profile year-on-year, with an increased number of visitor attractions, events and entertainment venues.

Owner Luke Harding said "Inclusion in the Observer's top 40 of all restaurants this year was particularly special as we have a fantastic little restaurant, first and foremost, creating dishes everybody enjoys, vegetarian or not.

�The fact that The Vegetarian Society has now bestowed their highest acclaim upon us for our honest approach to creating vegetarian dishes, having considered all of the alternatives throughout Britain, is a fantastic endorsement. It�s great recognition for the hard work and imagination of our brilliant cooks � head chef Mark Ruddick, Anna Rouse and Carol Devey.�

The judges who visited The Waiting Room were full of praise for the restaurant. Their comments included:

"The presentation of the meal was excellent - beautiful colours and just the right amount of garnish."

"The highlight of the meal was the feta curry�it was unbelievably delicious."

"The sharpness of the marmalade cheesecake was gorgeous�really unusual."

"The atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming."

"My husband thought everything about the meal was perfect (high praise from an omnivore!)"

"The meal was delicious, the restaurant was interesting and fun, the pace was leisurely and good value for money � a lovely evening out."

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Notes to editors

Established by Jenny Harding in 1985, The Waiting Room serves really tasty, deeply satisfying food, made out of full, wholesome ingredients. It changes its menu with the seasons, creating and developing our dishes with respect for what is naturally good for the time of year.

The restaurant serves as much local and organic produce as possible, including excellent organic wines, beers, teas and freshly ground coffee.

The Waiting Room was the first outlet in the region to be awarded Stockton Borough Council's "Fair Trade" award. The Waiting Room was declared the �Best in the North East� in the Observer Food Awards 2007, and was cited for serving �Excellent Food� as well as for hosting the highly acclaimed live music and arts events programme �Waiting for Sunday�. In 2008 The Waiting Room was included in The Observer's top 40 of all restaurants in the UK, and was then named as the UK's best independent restaurant for vegetarians by the Vegetarian Society. The BBC Good Food magazine also recommended us as a "great restaurant", making reference to our "inventive dishes" and "wonderful homely, rustic atmosphere."

The front room seats approximately 35 people on old oak chapel chairs (with good reading books in the back bit), around stripped wooden tables. The backroom/conservatory/cabaret bar seats around 45 and is hosts fantastic live music events. This room is also used for private parties. In 2007, The Waiting Room was twinned with Bom-bane's of Brighton.

More information is available on the restaurant website www.the-waiting-room.co.uk

For more details about the award contact the Vegetarian Society Press Office on 0161 925 2000 or press@vegsoc.org , mobile 07973 108 165/7. Visit www.vegsoc.org/press for more information.

For further information and pictures, please contact Laura Foster or Katie Coward on 0191224 4000.