All over the city, restaurants were deserted and kitchens abandoned.

The occasion was the inaugural Sheffield Area Restaurant Awards and the foodie fraternity turned out in force at Sheffield United's Millennium Suite.

It was like a Who's Who of the city's restaurant industry – proprietors, chefs, maitres d' and serving staff all revelling in the novelty of a night off together.

And it was a chance to celebrate their achievements and thumb their noses at the official guides, which have been slow to recognise the city's growing culinary stature.

The awards evening was the culmination of months of planning by industry champion Eat Sheffield and all the effort paid off. Over the last five weeks more than 3,000 restaurant-goers have logged on to nominate their favourites and vote for the winners.

"Around 17,500 individual votes were cast, which is quite remarkable for a public voting competition. We wanted the public to be our judges – the people who support our restaurant industry day in, day out," said Eat Sheffield manager Sean O'Toole.

On Monday it was the turn of the city's bars and restaurants to play their part and nearly 300 representatives went along.

"It's been a great success. We've never before had so many individual restaurateurs and staff in a room at the same time," said Sean.

"It's been good to get together, but the important thing is to nurture stronger support and closer working relationships in the future."

The tension was tangible as TV presenter Peter McNerny announced the first results.

See our Restaurant Guide all restaurants reviewed by the Sheffield Telegraph

There were one or two surprises: few would have guessed that Cubana would make the shortlist for Best Modern European Restaurant, even if it does serve Spanish-style tapas.

And Nonna's – renowned for its authentic Italian dishes – was an unlikely winner of the Best Local Produce Menu award, even though 50% of ingredients are locally sourced.

But this was a democratic vote and the public's decision was final, insisted Sean.

Nonna's also took the award for best modern European restaurant. Other winners included Thyme Café at Broomhill, voted best small restaurant, best newcomer Platillos in Leopold Square, best Indian Ashoka in Ecclesall Road and best Oriental WasabiSabi in London Road.

The Cricket Inn at Totley took two awards, for best family food operation and best pub food. The Blue Moon in St James' Street was named best café and the award for outstanding service went to Moran's in Abbeydale Road.

Each outlet had one vote for Restaurateurs' Restaurant of the Year and the professionals endorsed the industry guides on this one.

The honours went to the Old Vicarage at Ridgeway, Sheffield's only Michelin-starred restaurant.

Head chef Nathan Smith was there to pick up the plaque; owner Tessa Bramley had a previous engagement with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, it seemed.

Then a hush fell over the room as the finalists for Restaurant of the Year were announced.

The contenders included Moran's in Abbeydale Road South and The Milestone at Kelham Island. But the big prize of the night went to 23 bar and restaurant at West One in Fitzwilliam Street, run by cousins Chris and Jonathon Hawkins.

"We're over the moon!" said Chris. "We did say we'd be having a bit of a party if we won but we didn't really expect to get this award.

"We've been open two years now, but we've only been doing things the way we wanted to since we took over the cooking 12 months ago. This is a real vote of confidence."

Sheffield's Young Chef of the Year has yet to be announced.