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7 October 2008

A ROTHERHITHE restaurant owner has been nominated for a prestigious televised food award and £40,000 cash prize.

Lawrence Lingard and his restaurant, Simplicity, on Tunnel Road, is one of five London finalists for UKTV Food's Local Food Hero 2008 competition.

Lingard, who opened the restaurant only a year and a half ago, was shocked when he discovered he had been put forward for the award. "I'm not sure who nominated me but it's fantastic," he said. "I just told all my customers to vote for me and now I'm in the final."

Simplicity sources as much of its produce as possible from local suppliers, including nearby Surrey Docks Farm. Lingard believes that this focus on the local community makes people feel that the restaurant is a valuable part of local life.

"The fact that I come out and talk to customers makes them feel like they are part of the restaurant and the community," he said. "It's all about local people supporting the area where they live. There's a dirth of community restaurants in the area. Here, it feels like you could be having dinner at a friend's house, which is what people like."

Originally from Manchester, Lingard has lived in Southwark for twenty years and been in the restaurant business for 25 years, so he knows a thing or two about what people want. And with Simplicity already listed by Time Out as one of the top 'cheap eat' restaurants in London, it looks like his philosophy is paying dividends.

"Simplicity provides simple produce that you don't have to do anything fancy to," said Lingard. "I think the produce should do the talking."

Voting is now closed. The winners of the award will be announced in November as part of Gary Rhodes' Local Food Hero series on UKTV Food.

SIMPLICITY, 1 Tunnel Road, Rotherhithe, SE16 4JJ. Tel: 020 7232 5174

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