Gourmet pubs win Michelin accolade
Four pubs have been awarded Bib Gourmands in this year's Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2007.
The Oak Tree Inn at Hutton Magna, Yorkshire, the Hole in the Wall at Little Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire, the Gumstool Inn at Tetbury, Gloucestershire, and the Hardwick in Abergavenny have all received the award for serving good food at moderate prices. To qualify, diners have to be able to purchase three courses for under £28.
The Goose at Britwell Salome, Oxfordshire, has lost its star.
The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2007 was launched last week, priced £15.99. There are now 122 establishments with stars - more than ever before.
Hardwick head chef Stephen Terry said: "We never expected a star, because at the end of the day we serve things such as grilled sandwiches and although they are very good, they are still only sandwiches. To be recognised as a venue where you can buy three decent courses for £28 is great. Naturally, we're over the moon."
The Oak Tree Inn, Hutton Magna, Yorkshire
Tenure: freehold
Licensees: Alastair and Claire Ross
Head chef: Alastair Ross
Time at the pub: four and half years
Covers: 25
Covers per week: 70
Average spend per head: £28, not including drink
Wet/dry: depends on shooting season; heavily dry-led
Food GP: 60%
Weekly turnover: £3,000
Menu: local and seasonal
Menu change: sometimes twice a day, depending on seasons
On the menu: Starter: local partridge and crispy bacon salad (£6.50). Main: fillet of turbot and puréed parsnip (£17.50).
Dessert: peanut butter parfait with chocolate sorbet (£5.25).
Ross said: "We have no idea when the inspector visited, we try to look after everyone all of the time.
"We're thrilled to have won a bib gourmand - our moto here is that you 'get what you pay for', so it fits in perfectly. We don't employ any other staff and my wife Claire and I work very hard so it's nice to recognised."
The Hole in the Wall, Little Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire
Tenure: freehold
Licensees: Jenny Chapman, Stephen Bull and Chris Leeton
Head chef: Chris Leeton
Time at the pub: one year, two weeks
Covers: 66
Covers per week: roughly 250
Average spend per head: roughly £17
Wet/dry: varies constantly but heavily dry-led
Food GP: 74%
Weekly turnover: roughly £6,500
Menu: local, seasonal traditional pub food with a twist
Menu change: every two weeks with daily changing specials
On the menu: Starter: smoked mackerel fillet with pickled beetroot (£5.75). Main: lamb hotpot with winter veg (£13.50). Dessert: apple and Stowford cider cake with cream (£4.95).
Chapman said: It's great to be recognised after only being here a year. I hope lots of people are curious and want to visit us.
"We want to attract local drinking trade as well, we are still very much a pub. We had no idea when the inspectors called. We try to treat everyone the same."
The Hardwick, Abergavenny, Monmouthsire
Tenure: freehold
Licensee and head chef: Stephen Terry
Time at the pub: 14 months
Covers: 65
Covers a week: 450-500
Average spend per head: £20
Wet/dry: 35/65
Food GP: 65%
Weekly turnover: average £8,500
Menu: around 15 starters and mains - seasonal, local, British
Menu change: Twice a day, according to produce available
On the menu: Starter: free range duck and potato hash with fried egg rocket and grain mustard mayo (£6.95). Main: pan-fried mackerel fillet with sautéed potatoes and smoked bacon (£13.50). Dessert: panettone crème brûleé (£4.95).
Terry said: "we never expected a star because at the end of the day we serve things like grilled sandwiches and although they are very good, they are still only grilled sandwiches. To be recognised as a venue where you can buy three decent courses for under £28, that's great. We're over the moon."
