Another award for St Austell food champion

l St Austell Brewery catering development manager Paul Drye celebrates his latest national award

February 10, 2007: St Austell Brewery food champion Paul Drye has received another top industry accolade in recognition of his effort to revolutionise pub food.

The St Austell Brewery catering development manager was named 2007 catering development professional of the year at the annual Pub Chef Food Excellence Awards.

The awards night, organised by Pub Chef magazine and the Morning Advertiser and held at London’s Dorchester Hotel, celebrated chefs that have shown a commitment to improving the food they serve to customers, creating new dishes and using local produce.

The judges were impressed with “the way Paul has developed and delivered an outstanding food offering across the brewery’s estate”.

Other achievements that helped Paul clinch the title included St Austell Brewery’s commitment to local sourcing for its ingredients and produce, the chef’s training programme that provides hands-on practical training for pub chefs, and a recent campaign to encourage younger people to join the food service industry.

Paul said: “I’m delighted to receive this award in recognition for the work that everyone at St Austell Brewery puts in to ensure we give our customers great food in all our pubs.

“My passion is in using the best ingredients we have in Cornwall to create simple and stylish dishes. I hope it’s an approach that customers like.”

James Staughton, managing director of St Austell Brewery, said: “In December Roger Ryman, our brewing director, was named as the best in the UK, and now Paul’s award for his inspirational approach to pub food is the icing on the cake.

"I’m delighted that their hard work and talent is being recognised. The Brewery’s success is down to maintaining our strong traditional values at the same time as innovating, raising standards and looking for new ways to please our customers.”