Who's the best?
The three finalists in the Whitby Breaded Scampi Great British Pub Challenge have been selected. The three will now go head-to-head for the title, organising a theme night for regulars, as well as the judging panel. The finalists are the Blacksmiths Arms in Lastingham, Yorkshire, the Chequers Inn in Laddingford, Kent, and the Queen's Head Inn in Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham.
The pubs were selected by judges Laura Troughton, marketing and sales director of Whitby Seafoods, Ros Shiel, PR manager for Beautiful Beer, and John Porter, pub food editor of The Publican.
What makes a champion?
The Chequers Inn was praised for being at the heart of the community and for taking its responsibility seriously, as well as for supporting local brewers.
Ros says: "At the Chequers Inn, there is a lot of focus on support for the local school, which is under threat of closure. This is a great example of a pub stepping in where it's needed to support the local community."
The Chequers Inn is a 15th century village pub, with a traditional pub menu which includes Sunday roasts and fish and chips. Licensees Charles and Tracey Leaver hold a number of community events throughout the year including a music quiz, a marrow growing contest, and a conker competition.
Laura felt that staff at the Queen's Head Inn recognise their key role in the community, which is particularly important because there isn't another pub in the area.
John felt that plans to disperse the prize money to local charities were very clearly thought out, and the pub is also very specific about local sourcing and very close to local suppliers. Classic pub dishes on the menu include steak and ale pie, lasagne, and a bacon and brie baguette. The Queen's Head holds regular quiz nights, and themed birthday or anniversary parties for locals.
The Blacksmiths Arms stood out because of its food and beer nights, with different foods appropriately matched to beers.It also has a hands-on, practical approach to the pub's role in the community, such as taking in parcels and passing on messages to others in the village.
Laura says: "I was impressed by the pub's "curryoke night" where they raised money for a number of charities, and I thought their idea of giving older people a free Christmas dinner was wonderful."
The three winner will now host community nights in ther pubs during the week of July 17th, attended by the judges, before the overall winner is selected.
