This was as well as its purpose beyond just profit, with immense passion and energy for its food and drink offers across its seven successful sites.
The business, which has sites in Cheshire and Staffordshire and is led by Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin, was felt by the judges to be a fantastic ambassador for consistently great pub food, with the business which has now been delighting diners for 16 years, delivering a successful balance between quality and price.
Genuine support
It stood out for its accessibly priced food offers, which ensure the pubs keep locals as regulars as well as attract diners from further afield.
Judges commended how the business is offering such great quality food, using produce sourced from quality local suppliers, but holding prices to make their pubs for the everyday not just special occasion.
There is also a genuine support from Tim and Mary, not just for their team members, but for the wider communities their pubs operate in. They have created not just wonderful foodie pubs, but places for the whole community.
Continual appetite to learn
The confidence of Tim and Mary and their talented teams in their business and offer, with a clear strategy and continual appetite to learn and improve also impressed.
Among other winning ways is how the Cheshire Cat team is making the complexity of its food offer work so well, with different main menus offered in each pub. These exciting and accessible menus are delivered along with quality set menus, Sunday menus, breakfast menus and special event menus and galvanise chef skills and flair to offer elevated and enticing pub food.
Also impressing the judges was the forward focus of the business, including around events, as well as ongoing innovation in areas including vegetarian food and its carefully curated food and drink matching events.
