Shepherd Neame names Pub Award winners
It was among 14 of the brewery’s 348 pubs and hotels across London and the South East honoured at a ceremony in Ashford yesterday [8 July]. There were a number of categories, including pulling the perfect pint, serving consistently great food and being at the heart of the local community.
The Marine Hotel underwent a major refurbishment in spring 2013, and judges praised manager Kathryn Gracey for her dedicated efforts to build on the investment of the site and deliver phenomenal business growth.
Gracey said: “I am very proud of our achievements at the Marine Hotel during the past 18 months. I have a fantastic team of staff, and I am thrilled that their hard work and dedication has been recognised with this award.”
Other winners
The Compasses at Crundale picked up the Restaurant of the Year award, for its skilful use of local and seasonal produce and friendly service, while the Pub Food of The Year Award went to the Blue Anchor at Crowborough, which impressed judges with its smoke house and use of smoked meats in innovative dishes throughout the menu. They also praised the high quality of its classic pub dishes.
Meanwhile, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Peter and Glenice Dowsett of the Rose Inn, Kennington, who are due to retire in October after 19 years with the brewer.
Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame, who presented the awards, said: “Our pubs and hotels offer our customers a distinctive experience, a great portfolio of celebrated beers and unique wines, delicious fresh food and warm, friendly service. These awards are testimony to the hard work, dedication, and creativity of all our licensees and a celebration of excellence in this industry."
The full list of winning pubs and licensees:
Best Floral Display – Rose Inn, Herne Bay
Marketing Pub of the Year – Woolpack, Chilham
Heart of the Community Pub of the Year – Bear Inn, Faversham
Wine Pub of the Year – Shakespeare, Canterbury
Perfect Pint of the Year – Millers Arms, Canterbury
Turnaround / Transformation Pub of the Year – Prince of Wales, Reigate
Pub Food of the Year – Blue Anchor, Crowborough
Restaurant of the Year – Compasses, Crundale
New Licensee of the Year – Zetland Arms, Kingsdown
Manager of the Year – Lee Walker at the Britannia in Guildford
Tenanted Pub of the Year – Hoop & Grapes, Farringdon
Managed Business of the Year – Dog and Bear Hotel, Lenham
Lifetime Achievement – Peter and Glenice Dowsett at the Rose Inn, Kennington
Shepherd Neame Pub of the Year – The Marine Hotel, Whitstable
