Congratulations to three Enterprise Inns pub retailers who came high in the running for the ‘Great British Food Awards’ again this year.
Ring O’Bells in Thornton, a pub nestling in the Yorkshire Pennines, was a finalist coming 2nd in the category that challenged contestants to create a main-course dish using seafood. Second Chef Matthew Alsop created a pan-fried medallion of halibut with braised baby fennel, spinach linguine and a clam and tomato sauce.
Ann and Clive Preston have run the Ring O’Bell for over 18 years and are no strangers to award ceremonies. Last year you might remember they were in the National Finalists for the UK Pub Chef Excellence Award.
Their best-selling dishes are locally reared topside of beef and breast of English chicken. They run monthly gourmet food and wine evenings, themed evenings and work with suppliers to stock the best wine that complements their menu.
Their stunning website reflects how serious they are about their business.
Sandrock in Wrecclesham, Surry, was a finalist coming 2nd in the Game Pub Chef of the Year category. Licensee and chef Carol Haime created a medieval pheasant stew with currants, mushrooms and chestnut puddings and ‘wortes’. Mystery box dishes were caramelised plums with cinnamon mascarpone, plum & port compote and chocolate mousse.
Sandrock’s best-selling dishes are stilton and spinach chutney burger and individual beef wellington.
Their food initiatives are split into three menu options: British pub classics, ‘Sandrock healthy options’ and ‘Sandrock specials’ also ‘Sandrock Sunday Seven’ – seven roasts with seven veg.
With a line up like this it’s hardly surprising that the Sandrock are winning awards year after year for their original food
The Butchers Arms, Greens Norton was awarded Highly Commended for their Indian food created by Licensee and Chef Sarah Jones. This large village pub at the centre of Greens Norton in Northamptonshire doesn’t miss a trick with credit crunch dishes and initiatives like a St Trinian’s night that includes a free drink for those turning up in a school uniform.
Sarah and Roland, previously owned The White Hart in Preston Bissett, have been running The Butchers Arms since December 2007.
The pub serves an average of 300 to 400 covers a week and has a wet dry split of 70:30. While Sarah drives the pub’s food her husband Roland mans the bar pumps making sure everyone receives a warm welcome. Roland is passionate about cask ales which secured them a ‘Cask Marque accreditation’ in recognition. That was not enough for Roland who has gone one step further spreading the joy of ale in the community by hosting an ‘Autumn Beer Festival’.