Top 50 Gastropub Awards 2015: Time running out to enter
In addition to the prestigious Top 50 list, which is voted for by industry experts including top chefs, food writers, pubco bosses and pub guide editors, there are three awards open for entries from dining pubs.
These are Business Innovation of the Year, Front of House Manager of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
Business Innovation of the Year recognises a strong business initiative in the past year. Examples include a food festival, pop-up restaurant, cafe, own-label food range or school meals catering.
Front of House Manager of the Year is for managers who play a vital part of their pub's business success and help deliver excellent service at their pub, while demonstrating strong leadership.
The Newcomer of the Year award is open to pubs that have been open for 18 months or less. The judging panel will look for details of investment in the business, successful food and drink promotions and events, marketing and PR ideas and future development plans.
The closing date for entries is Friday 17 October, and pubs should visit www.top50gastropubs.co.uk to download their entry forms.
Awards judges
Judges of the awards include Waitrose Good Food Guide consultant editor Elizabeth Carter, pub guide editor David Hancock, and Jo Bruce – managing editor at the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.
Nominated finalists for each category will be visited in late November or early December by the judges, who will see the business in action.
Brian Whiting, managing director of Whiting and Hammond, which won the Business Innovation of the Year at the 2014 awards, said: “We were very proud winners of the award for our Gastro magazine.
“To be rewarded in this very esteemed competition was truly a memorable moment for the whole team. Our magazine has gone from strength to strength and has been a great asset to a busy year.”
Premium Czech beer Budweiser Budvar is the award’s title partner. Associate partners are Appletiser, Berkmann Wine Cellars and Highland Park.
Ian Moss, marketing controller for Budweiser Budvar UK, said: “There is no awards programme quite like this one. It grows in stature each year, perfectly reflecting the importance of this category to our industry.”
The award's associate partners are Highland Park, Appletiser and Berkmann Wines.
Hermitage Road
Tom Kerridge is presenting the awards on Monday 26 January at Anglian Country Inns’ Hermitage Road Bar & Kitchen in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Kerridge and wife Beth run the Hand & Flowers in Marlow, which has taken the top spot in the awards for the past three years.
The site has now been retired to the Top 50 'Hall of Fame', meaning a new pub will be take first place in 2015.
In November, the couple will open a second site named the Coach in the town.
