High praise for pub grub from food bible
Pub grub is leading a foodie revolution in Britain, according to eating-out bible The Michelin Guide.
In its assessment of 2004's food trends, the guide said that pubs were leading the way in Britain's food transformation.
The guide stated: "The general standard of cooking continues to improve across the UK. The overall number of restaurants continues to grow, particularly in counties where choice had hitherto been rather limited and this increase is often heralded by the arrival in an area of several dining pubs."
The prestigious guide awards stars to the best eating establishments in the UK and Ireland, and among those with a newly-awarded one star for 2004 are two pubs - the Greyhound in Stockbridge, Hampshire and the Trouble House in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
The stars are awarded by a team of well-trained, full-time inspectors who visit each outlet and report their findings.
Stars are awarded for the meal served and are only judged on the food - the criteria are the quality of ingredients and preparation, the combination of flavours, innovation and style.
Bib Gourmand awards are also made to outlets that offer good food at reasonable prices - an award that seems designed for recognising the country's best food pubs.
As expected many pubs hold Bib Gourmands already and at least six more have earned themselves awards for 2004.
They include the Dartmoor Inn in Devon, the Durham Ox in Easingwold and the Distillers Arms in Bushmills, Northern Ireland.
New Michelin Stars 2004
One star:
- The Greyhound, Stockbridge, Hampshire
- The Trouble House, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
New bib gourmand Awards:
- The Angel of Corbridge, Corbridge, Northumberland
- The Stephen Langton Inn, Dorking, Surrey
- The Durham Ox, Easingwold, North Yorkshire
- The Dartmoor Inn, Lydford, Devon
- The Jackson Stops Inn, Stamford
- The Distillers Arms, Bushmills, Northern Ireland
