GBPA food category finalists revealed
The awards, organised by the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, recognise the business achievements of licensees around the UK through a three-stage judging process.
The Packhorse Inn, Moulton, near Newmarket, Suffolk is the winner of the East Anglia and East Midlands region. The freehold site is owned by Philip Turner who took on the site last October. Head chef is Chris Lee who was previously head chef at the Bidleston Crown also in Suffolk, where he held three AA rosettes. It is the first site of Chestnut Inns.
North West regional winner is Enterprise Inns lease the Parkers Arms, Newton in Bowland, Lancashire. Chef/licensee is Stosie Madi, who won the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Pub restaurant Chef of the Year 2013.
Winning the South East & London region is freehold the Red Lion, Britwell Salome, Oxfordshire which is owned by Eilidh Ferguson and Andrew Hill.
The Pony & Trap, Chew Magna, Somerset is the winner of the South West region. The freehold is run by brother and Josh and Holly Eggleton. Josh Eggleton was a finalist in this year’s Great British Menu on BBC Two.
Taking the title for the West Midlands & Wales region is C D Pub Co site the Stag at Offchurch, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.. The company, which has two other sites is run by Charles and Christine Harris.
Scottish pub the Bridge Inn in Ratho, Edinburgh, has won the Yorkshire, North East and Scotland region. The freehold is owned by Graham Bucknall.
From these regional winners a national champion will be selected who will be unveiled at a glittering awards ceremony at the Hilton on Park Lane, London on 11 September.
Publican’s Morning Advertiser managing editor Jo Bruce said: “These six pubs are all fantastic places for food and the licensees and head chefs have all grown their businesses in the past year with passion, energy and creativity. It is going to be a tough job for the judges to select the national champion.”
For more information on the Great British Pub Awards 2014 visit www.greatbritishpubawards.co.uk
