Balham hijacks Sadiq Khan's 'Taste of Tooting' Best Cafe Awards!

After two months, some fierce competition, extended deadlines and a record 1500 votes cast, the winners of Sadiq Khan MP's inaugural 'Taste of Tooting' competition can be revealed.

The competition was launched earlier this summer to help promote local restaurants, cafes and takeaways in Tooting, Balham, Earlsfield and Wandsworth Common – making up one of the most diverse cross-section of eateries in London.

The fight to find 'Best Restaurant', 'Favourite Café' and 'Tastiest Takeaway' was fierce, with some very close results – including a dead heat for 'Favourite Café', and in this category, Balham Cafe's won 1st (joint), 2nd and 3rd positions!

So, without further ado he winners are (drum roll) …… Bertie and Boo tied joint 1st - alongside Walker Wyatt cafe in Tooting Bec, Nightingale Patisserie on Nightingale Lane came 2nd and Caffe Moka on Balham High Road, 3rd.

Sadiq Khan MP said 'The competition has been a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate successful local businesses which are at the heart of the community.  This has been a tough few years for local businesses, and I wanted to do something to help promote them, and encourage local people to eat locally and spend their money in the community.'

Sam, the owner of Bertie and Boo amplified Sadiq's comments.  "We are operating in a a very tough climate and so any recognition like this is always welcome."  And he went on to praise the strong community we have here in Balham with it's plethora of families and people who care about our neighbourhood. "I didn't even know this competition was running", he said "so it was a fantastic surprise to get the call from Sadiq's office with the good news!"

Other winners in the Taste of Tooting competition were: 

The Best Restaurant Category was won by Rick's Cafe , Mitcham Road, Tooting.  

Tastiest Takeaway was won by Lahore Karahi, Tooting High Street.