Bib Gourmand accolade ‘shows the strength of cooking in pubs’

The Michelin Guide awarded Top 50 Gastropub the Staith House a Bib Gourmand this year and chef-patron John Calton said the accolade highlights the strong standard of food in pubs.

The Bib Gourmand recognises pubs and restaurants that are typically more affordable and comfortable than their Michelin-starred counterparts.

Calton explained how he found out his quayside pub in North Shields, Tyne and Wear had been awarded the accolade.

Totally unexpected

He told The Morning Advertiser: “It was totally unexpected. We were out in the countryside and didn’t have any phone signal.

“As soon as we got a signal, my phone started going off in my pocket and there was a message from Andrew Fishwick (formerly of the Truscott Arms in Maida Vale, west London) congratulating us on the Bib.

“We didn’t have a clue what he was talking about as we weren’t even sure it had been announced but really, it was a nice way to find out.”

Calton outlined how much being awarded the accolade meant to himself and his team at the Staith House.

“It is a massive thing for the team and for the pub. It is an amazing achievement, another huge national recognition and everybody here is just delighted. I was speechless,” he said.

Strength of cooking

But the chef-patron was not just full of praise for his site and staff, he also highlighted the evolution of pub food.

He said: “It shows the strength of cooking in pubs these days because you rarely see [Bib Gourmands] in pubs.

“You never quite know when people are at the pub to inspect you so it shows a sign of consistency because inspectors come and eat but don’t always reveal themselves.

“We had no idea we were going to get a Bib Gourmand so that says a lot about the standard when you don’t know you have been inspected then you get a surprise like this. It speaks volumes about the consistency.”