STAR PUBS & BARS TOASTS TOP TALENT AT ANNUAL STAR AWARDS

Star Pubs & Bars toasted the talents of some of its top licensees at its annual Star Awards at the five-star Luton Hoo Hotel in Bedfordshire.

Winners were announced in sixteen categories ranging from Best Food to Most Family-Friendly pub. Patricia and Adrian Watson of the Elephant & Castle at Hemingfield in South Yorkshire won Star Pub of the Year - after also receiving the prize for Marketing - for their superb standards in every area of the pub’s operation.

The event was hosted by comedian Joel Dommett and attended by 250 people. Representatives of 90 finalist pubs were recognised at the night and crowned regional winners.

The rigorous 10-month judging process involved pub visits as well as interviews with licensees and their staff. The judges reported that standards across the board were the best they had seen since the Star Awards’ launch in 2012 and noted particular advances in the food, soft drinks, spirits and wine categories.

Says Star Pubs & Bars managing director Lawson Mountstevens: “Pub goers demand more than ever and the Star Awards winners and finalists demonstrate how licensees are stepping up their game to deliver fantastic experiences across all categories and occasions. With 2,500 pubs in the Star Pubs & Bars estate, the competition was intense. It was a tremendous accolade to all the winners and finalists to be nominated. They are raising the bar and creating outstanding, individual pubs that are much-valued and loved by the communities they serve.”

Star Pubs & Bar Award Winners List

Best Bar Team

Rose Hanison, The Black Horse, Norwich

Live Sports Venue

Belle Pubs & Restaurants, Griffin Belle, Vauxhall, London

Heart of the Community

Andrew Bear, The Engine, Kenilworth

Famous for Food

Darren and Kelly Lea, The Faulkner, Hoole

Most Family Friendly

Kate Hayden and Paul Warriner, The Extraordinary Hare, West Hendred

Best Outdoor Pub

Howard and Victoria Lapish, the Hooden Smokehouse & Cellar, Ashford

Pint Perfection

Matthew Muszynski, The Salisbury Ale House, Manchester

Best Cask Pub

Shaun Slater, The Black Rock, Wakefield

Marketing

Patricia and Adrian Watson, the Elephant & Castle, Hemingfield

Best Newcomer

Paul Collins, The Roebuck, Forsbrook

Most Innovative

Eimear and Mark Walsh, The Winchmore, Winchmore Hill

Best Soft Drinks

Whiting and Hammond, The Blue Ball, Walton on the Hill

Best Spirits

David King, City Tavern, Newcastle

Best Wine

Andrew and Sisi Ryder, The Phoenix Inn, Hartley Wintney

Just Add Talent Pub of the Year

Stephen and Vicky Pritchard, The Dog & Partridge, Stockport

Star Pub of the Year

Patricia and Adrian Watson, the Elephant & Castle, Hemingfield