Good quality, home-made food and a splash of theatre have proved the winning combination for the Red Lion at Stathern, Leicestershire, awarded the Pub of the Year title at The Publican's Pub Food Awards 2004.
Licensee Ben Jones collected the award from TV personality Amanda Stretton at the awards ceremony held at the Savoy, London last night.
The Red Lion uses local suppliers and produce to create a diverse menu ranging from sandwiches to freshly-caught lobster. The pub has also opened its own shop, selling home-made jams, pickles, chutney and other delicacies.
Finalists from all 15 Pub Food Awards joined more leading lights from the pub food sector in a sell-out ceremony attended by more than 450 guests.
Also collecting awards were Lancashire brewer Daniel Thwaites, whose focus on food in its pubs earned it the Company Of The Year Award, and Green King Pub Company, picking up the Retail Brand Of The Year title for its Hungry Horse chain.
Roll of honour
- Pub of the Year
- Red Lion Inn, Leicestershire
Chef of the Year
Bruce Elsworth
The Angel Inn, North Yorkshire
Highly Commended
Trajan (Tj) Drew
The Appletree Country Inn, York
Company of the Year
Daniel Thwaites Brewery
Highly Commended
Greene King Pub Company
Best Barbeque Experience
The Durham Ox, York
Best Beer and Food Experience
The Porterhouse, Covent Garden
Best British Food
The Crooked Billet, Oxon
Highly Commended
The Helyar Arms, Yeovil
Best Healthy Option
The Kings Head Kitchen and Bar, Belfast
Best Seafood
The Swan Inn, Barnby
Dessert Offering of the Year
Magnesia Bank, North Shields
Highly Commended
The Crooked Billet, Oxon
Food Champion of the Year
Judi Houghton, catering development manager
Daniel Thwaites Brewery
Innovation of the Year
Narrow Street Pub & Dining Room, London
Newcomer of the Year
Ian McKerracher,
The Helyar Arms, Yeovil
Retail Brand of the Year
Hungry Horse, Greene King Pub Company
Sunday Lunch of the Year
The Square & Compass, Leeds
Wine Offering of the Year
The Harris Arms, Lewdown