“I can’t believe it, I really can’t believe it,” said Paula Dawson, reacting to the news that her business, Paula’s Kitchen in Rufforth, had won the Press Best Sandwich Bar competition.
“Oh my God, I’ve won – really? Thank you so much.
“I’m actually gobsmacked, that’s fantastic, that’s great… I’m shaking.”
Paula’s Kitchen, based at a garden centre off Mill Lane, fought off top competitors from across York to be crowned the winner by Press readers.
The other nominees were: 52 Broadway Coffee Shop, in Fulford; Big Bite Sandwich Bar, in Fulford; Bluebird Bakery, in Acomb; Bread ‘n’ Things, in Fourth Avenue; Browns of Heslington, in Heslington; Brunch, in Clifton Moor; Café Leemo, in Stamford Street East, off Leeman Road; No 3 Heworth, in Heworth; and No 84 Deli & Café, in Micklegate.
Paula took over the business four years ago and now runs the café with her husband, Shaun, and daughter.
“We do it together,” she said.
Paula praised Press readers for voting for her, saying: “I appreciate it… I’ve never won anything.
“From Shaun and I, we would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for us.
“A massive thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
A bacon and egg roll which is one of the best sellers at Paula’s Kitchen in Rufforth (Image: Supplied) She described the café as having a “friendly atmosphere with good food” and said customers can have “everything they want”.
“It’s doing really, really well – we’re really pleased with it,” she said when Paula’s Kitchen was nominated for the competition.
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The café stocks a variety of sandwiches which attract customers from around the area as well as passers-by.
“We get a lot of passing trade,” Paula said. “There are quite a few estates around here.”
Aside from sandwiches, the café has become known for its breakfasts.
“We do a big full breakfast, and that’s our best seller,” Paula said.
In the summer the café is a key pitstop for cyclists fuelling up on long rides.
“We get a lot of cyclists,” Paula said. “We offer them free refills on their drinks, they absolutely love that.
“And we fill their water bottles before they go again.”
Nigel Burton, editor of The Press, previously said sandwich bars “play a key role in York’s thriving food scene”, adding: “The Press is delighted to be able to celebrate the hardworking people behind these venues.”
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