Voting is already under way to determine which gastropubs will make the cut and be showcased on the Top 50 Gastropubs list 2017, which will be revealed at Anglian Country Inns’ the Hermitage Road bar and restaurant, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on 30 January.
Although the pubs on the Top 50 list are voted into position by the exclusive Regional Voting Academy, which consists of food critics, experts and prominent operators up and down the country, the Newcomer of the Year and the Front-of-House Team of the Year awards can be entered in to by pubs.
The newcomer award recognises stand-out pubs that have been open for 18 months or fewer.
Category judges will look for details on investment in the business; successful food and drink promotions; strong marketing and PR; and future development plans.
Last year’s winners of the coveted award were celebrity chef brothers Chris and James Tanner for their Kent-based pub, the Kentish Hare.
The Morning Advertiser’s (MA) food and drink editor Nicholas Robinson said: “In a rare turn of events, the Tanner brothers not only managed to swipe the award for best newcomer in 2016, but their fantastic pub made it to number 33 on the list.”
Another pub familiar with the Top 50 Gastorpubs list is this year’s winner of the Front-of-House Team of the Year award, the Freemasons at Wiswell, Lancashire.
Not only was this pub honoured with a coveted award at the Top 50 Gastropubs list reveal in January, but it took sixth position and was also crowned Best Food Pub at this month’s Great British Pub Awards.
Pubs looking to enter this category will have the best front-of-house manager and team in the trade.
Winning teams of this category will be in sync with one another in order to run the best, customer-focused site.
The team’s contribution to running the business will be visible through up-selling and add-on sales and great diner reviews.
If you enter your pub and team into this category of the competition, you must be confident in the skill of your team as you will face a visit from MA’s food and drink editor, as well as a mystery diner.
Find out more about the awards and how to enter here, entries must be in by 28 October.