In addition to the prestigious Top 50 list, which is voted for by industry experts including top chefs, food writers, pubco bosses and pub guide editors, there are three awards now open for entries from dining pubs.
These are Newcomer of the Year, Business Innovation of the Year and Front of House Manager of the Year.
Judges of the awards include Waitrose Good Food Guide consultant editor Elizabeth Carter, pub guide editor David Hancock, and Jo Bruce – managing editor at the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.
Brian Whiting, managing director of Whiting and Hammond, which won the Business Innovation of the Year in the 2014 awards said: “We were very proud winners of the award for our Gastro magazine. To be rewarded in this very esteemed competition was truly a memorable moment for the whole team. Our magazine has gone from strength to strength and has been a great asset to a busy year.”
Awards partners
Premium Czech beer Budweiser Budvar is the award’s title partner. Associate partners are Appletiser, Berkmann Wine Cellars and Highland Park.
Ian Moss, marketing controller for Budweiser Budvar UK, said: “There is no awards programme quite like this one. It grows in stature each year, perfectly reflecting the importance of this category to our industry.”
Tom Kerridge is presenting the awards on Monday 26 January at Anglian Country Inns’ Hermitage Road Bar & Kitchen in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Kerridge and wife Beth run the Hand & Flowers in Marlow, which has taken the top spot in the awards for the past three years.
The site has now been retired to the Top 50 'Hall of Fame', meaning a new pub will be take first place in 2015.
For more information on the awards and to download entry forms visit www.top50gastropubs.co.uk. The closing date for entries is 17 October 2014.