Mackenzie, who runs the pub, in South Dalton, near Beverley, with his wife Kate, opened three new luxury guest suites and was also developing a new kitchen garden and a private outdoor dining area at the pub.
"It's always been great being involved in the Top 50 Gastropubs... year-on-year these lists come out and you never know if you're going to be included in them, especially as new businesses open up all of the time," he told the Publican's Morning Advertiser in this exclusive video.
'Absolutely fantastic'
"To be third this year was absolutely fantastic and it's great because all of the staff and people do talk about it and there's great things that come off the back of that too. It's great to be up there with the best and it gives us that impetus to push on further."
Entries to the awards that run alongside the Top 50 Gastropubs are open and will close this Friday (30 October).
The three categories open for entry to all food-serving pubs are:
- Business Innovation of the Year
- Front of House Manager of the Year
- Newcomer of the Year
For more information about the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list and awards visit www.top50gastropubs.co.uk