St Austell is pub company of year in food awards

l Jim Sloan, St Austell retail estate manager (left) congratulates Paul Drye, the brewery's catering development manager

November 12, 2007: St Austell Brewery has been named pub company of the year in The Publican Food Awards, run by leading trade magazine The Publican.

In making the award, judges praised the brewery for its high and still improving quality, commitment to sourcing local fresh produce, training and support for licensees in developing their food offer, and innovation, such as the beer with food nights run earlier this year.

The awards also saw the Norway Inn, at Perranarworthal, near Truro, highly commended in the local food pub of the year category.

John Porter, pub food editor for The Publican, said: “St Austell Brewery has taken the same commitment that makes it a great local brewer and applied it to the food side of its business. By working with a wide range of small suppliers the company has demonstrated strong support for the West Country economy.

“Most importantly, this initiative has resulted in imaginative and genuinely different menus in its pubs, with an appeal to both residents and visitors.”

St Austell Brewery estate director Adam Luck said the team were absolutely thrilled to scoop the top award. “It is a fantastic tribute to everyone at the brewery and in our pubs and recognises our commitment to developing pub food of the highest quality, using the best in locally-sourced produce and accompanied by great service and a warm welcome.”

The brewery has been at the forefront of the revolution in pub food quality, choice and the importance of local provenance. The work of its catering development manager Paul Drye in promoting this previously earned him an industry double when he scooped awards as a national food champion in both The Publican Food Awards and the Morning Advertiser Awards. Several of the brewery’s pubs have also been singled out for praise.

Paul said: “The recipe for good pub food is quite simple and it’s about offering customers what they want — the best in freshly cooked food, prepared with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients under the direction of well-trained chefs.

“Winning pub company of the year recognises the achievements of the whole team right through, from the brewery, our local suppliers and, of course, our pubs and chefs, who have the freedom to use their skills to pick the best produce available and build an impressive menu around this.”

4 Comment on this story at our forum