The Bunch of Grapes, Pontypridd, was awarded the title this week after fighting off competition from approximately 2,000 other entries in the competition’s fifth year running.
Nick Otley, owner of the Bunch of Grapes, which is also a Best Food Pub finalist in this year’s Great British Pub Awards, said: “We’re really happy to have won – it’s an awesome achievement.
“Being shortlisted last year, it’s been great to top that this year and take the national title. It’s a real testament to our commitment to be the best we can be.”
The pub will receive £10,000 of PR support, with finalist pubs the Granville, Canterbury, the Narrow Boat, Northampton, the Blue Pig, Manchester and Kyloe, Edinburgh, receiving £2,500 PR for their efforts.
Top quality
Chris Brown, channel trade marketing manager at Unilever Food Solutions, said: “In five years of running this competition, we’ve never seen so many top quality entries.
“Our judges certainly had their work cut out. However, in the end, they decided the Bunch of Grapes’ roast was just a cut above the rest.”
The Sunday lunch menu at the Bunch of Grapes offers a choice of silverside of Breconshire beef, leg and shoulder of Blaengwawr lamb or free-range Welsh chicken roasts as well as a range of other options and desserts.
Previous winner
Nottingham pub the Larwood & Voce won the contest last year. Now-closed London pub the Truscott Arms won in 2014.
Aidan McGee, ex-head chef at the Truscott Arms, is set to begin a new kitchen residency at Fulham pub the Wellington next month, where he will serve the iconic roast which scooped the award for his previous employers.
Getting rid of the roast? Sunday's wouldn't be the same. Read the Morning Advertiser's feature on roast dinners.