Historic London pub the Grapes has been named Pub of the Year at The Publican Pub Food Awards 2007.
Licensee Barbara Haigh, who ran the Limehouse riverside pub as manager for many years before taking on the lease in 2006, accepted the award last night at a ceremony in London hosted by comedian Rhod Gilbert.
The Grapes, built in 1720 on the site of a previous tavern, also won the Seafood Pub of the Year title. The judges chose the East End local to receive the Pub of the Year accolade from a shortlist of six winners of other categories.
The Pub Company of the Year award went to St Austell Brewery of Cornwall. The company has raised food sales in its managed pubs to around half of total turnover through a focus on using local suppliers and fresh, seasonal produce
The Pub Food Champion title was won by Paul Dorehill, chef and co-owner of the Royal Standard of England in Buckinghamshire. The pub, thought to be the oldest freehouse in England, specialises in traditional recipes and was also named Sunday Lunch Pub of the Year.
Dean Snee, head of food at managed pub company Orchid Group, won HQ food Champion, while Spirit Group's Chef & Brewer was named Retail Concept of the Year
The Newcomer of the Year award went to Joe Cussens and Justin Sleath at the Marlborough Tavern in Bath. Joe and Justin have transformed the pub from a run-down boozer to a genuine food-led community local since taking on the lease with Punch Taverns in June 2006.
John Porter, food editor of The Publican: "The Pub Food Awards 2007 have seen some of the strongest shortlists in the 12 years the awards have been running, reflecting the increasing quality of pub menus.
"All the finalists, and especially the winners, are great examples of the choice and value for money pub food offers."
The full list of winners:
- Alfresco Dining Pub of the Year: The Inn @ West End, West End, Surrey GU24 9PW
- Dessert Pub of the Year: The Oak, Kelsall, Cheshire, CW6 0RR
- Seafood Pub of the Year: The Grapes, Limehouse, London E14 8BP
- Local Food Pub of the Year: The Fountain Inn, Oldwood, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire WR15 8TB; Highly Commended: The Norway Inn, Perranarworthal, Truro, Cornwall TR3 7NUl
- Sunday Lunch Pub of the Year: The Royal Standard of England, Forty Green, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 1XT
- Light Bite Pub of the Year: The Monro, Liverpool L1 5AG
- Pub of the Year: The Grapes, Limehouse, London E14 8BP
- Beer with Food Pub of the Year: The Farmers Bar, Buckinghamshire HP20 2RW; Highly Commended: The Fox & Hounds, Eggesford, Chulmleigh, Devon, EX18 7JZ
- Wine with Food Pub of Year: The Inn @ West End, Surrey GU24 9PW
- Pub Food Innovation of Year: The Sandrock, Wrecclesham, Surrey GU10 4NS
- Pub Food Champion of the Year: Paul Dorehill at the Royal Standard of England, Forty Green, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 1XT
- Newcomer of the Year: Joe Cussens and Justin Sleath at the Marlborough Tavern, Bath, BA1 2LY
- Retail Concept of the Year: Chef and Brewer (Spirit Group)
- HQ Food Champion of the Year: Dean Snee, head of food, Orchid Group
- Pub Company of the Year: St Austell Brewery
See the pictures
You can see the pictures from the night on the Pub Food Awards 2007 picture gallery