The Cock in Hemingford Grey picked up this year’s accolade after being judged to “offer the best for all its customers” by this year’s Guide.
The pub is part of Cambscuisine, a group of five pub-restaurants run by Oliver Thain and Richard Bradley, and Thain told the PMA the award was down to the consistent levels of good food, drink and service offered at the venue.
“We take each customer very seriously and want them to have a good time and that is a principle which runs through our business,” said Thain.
“We don’t have a Michelin star, and we don’t want one. It is just about being consistently good at everything we do. People know about us but I think this award will just reinforce to our staff the value of keeping standards high.”
Asked about the impact the award could have on trade at the pub, Thain was careful not to get his hopes up, but admitted it couldn’t fail to have a positive effect.
“It will have a nice little boost for business but I don’t think it will bring in that more custom, although I could be wrong,” said Thain. “I think it is just a really good accolade for the staff, the group, and also the customers who will feel a little bit of pride.”
Commenting on the pub, the Good Pub Guide’s editor Fiona Stapley said: “The Cock is a proper pub, serving real food and real ale to real customers. It is so well-run and the licensees are really thoughtful about everything they do there - it is a really special place and a deserved winner.
The other winners in the Good Pub Guide 2013 were:
- Newcomer of the Year − Chase at Upper Colwall, Herefordshire
- Dining Pub of the Year − Beckford Arms, Fonthill Gifford, Wiltshire
- Beer Pub of the year − Fat Cat, Norwich, Norfolk
- Country Pub of the Year − Royal Oak, Fritham, Hampshire
- Town Pub of the Year − Wykeham Arms, Winchester, Hampshire
- Licensees of the Year − Merry Harriers, Clayhidon, Devon
- Value Pub of the Year − Anchor, Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire
- Unspoilt Pub of the Year − Crown, Churchill, Somerset
- Inn of the Year − Griffin, Felinfach, Brecon, Wales
- Wine Pub of the Year − Woods, Dulverton, Somerset
- Whisky Pub of the Year − Sligachan Hotel, Sligachan, Scotland
- Own Brew Pub of the Year − Watermill, Ings, Cumbria
- Brewery Pub of the Year − Otter Brewery, Devon
- Pup Group of the Year − Brunning & Price
- Outside Loo of the Year − Tram, Eardisley, Herefordshire