Warwickshire pubs celebrate in county food awards

Two Warwickshire pubs are celebrating picking up the honours in the county's food awards.

The Bluebell, at Henley in Arden has been named Dining Pub of the year in the Warwickshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2008, while the Granville @ Barford won the Most Distinctive Local Menu title.

The fiercely contended awards celebrate Warwickshire's best producers, suppliers and eating out venues.

For the Bluebell, which was shortlisted in three categories, the award continues a year of success which also saw licensees Duncan and Leigh Taylor named Newcomers of the Year at the Publican Awards 2008 in March.

The Bluebell is also shortlisted in the Gastro Pub of the Year category of The Publican food & Drink Awards, which takes place next month.

The judges praised the pub for its innovative local menu, food and outstanding service.

Duncan said of the latest honour: "Our customers are incredibly discerning when choosing somewhere to eat out, and it's not just about the food, our aim is to give them an overall dining experience which we believe to be unsurpassed locally."

The awards are voted for by the general public. Val Kersey, licensee of the Granville, said: "We pride ourselves on using fresh locally sourced seasonal produce in our menu so it's a wonderful accolade to have won in this category."