Palmers Brewery, is delighted to announce the winners of its inaugural Food Pub of the Year Award. The Sea Trout Inn at Staverton triumphed as the winner in the first year of the competition with the George Hotel Bridport and George Inn Chideock being recognised as Runners-up for their excellent entries.

The Palmers Food Pub of the Year Award recognises the licensee who has shown the greatest innovation and commitment to developing their food offer.

‘We are very lucky that the South West of England has been leading the food revolution for over a decade,’ said Jayson Perfect, Palmers Brewery Tenanted Trade Director.

‘Our best licensees engage with the public’s interest in seasonal food and its provenance. But food isn’t just ingredients cooked; when judging the Food Pub of the Year Award we were looking at service, presentation, menus, bar snacks, coffee offer; in short the dining experience offered from start to finish from breakfast to close.’

‘Jason & Sam impressed us with the breadth and quality of their food offer, their commitment to ensuring the best standards of service and their ongoing determination to grow their business through an invigorating approach to food. They are worthy winners.’

Over the last three years the Sea Trout has scooped an impressive range of food awards including multiple Taste of the West Gold Awards, winning the Food Magazine Readers Award and most recently Top Five Best South West Dining Pubs of the Year.

Licensees Jason and Sam Price said ‘We are thrilled to be declared winners of the Palmers Food Pub of the Year. Food has always been at the heart of the Sea Trout Inn and my team and I are over the moon that our hard work has been recognised in this way.’

Julian Dove and Annette Beardsmore, who took over as licensees of the George Hotel Bridport in November 2013 said ‘we and our team have worked really hard during 2014 to make sure that our food offer is the best in Bridport, serving good quality, modern pub food using the best quality local ingredients in a vibrant and exciting town centre location. A big thank you to our diligent staff, outstanding suppliers and fabulous customers who keep coming back.’

George Timbrell (left) and Alex Raybould (right) from the George Bridport, runners-up Palmers Brewery Food Pub of the Year 2015

Steve and Emma Smith who have been at the helm of the George Inn Chideock for the last four years said ‘Food has always been at the centre of the George Inn Chideock, whether it is a hearty snack after a brisk walk on the beach, a relaxing evening meal, a fiery attempt at the world garlic eating competition or a fun family evening around our ever popular log fired pizza oven. We have always strived to make sure that the food offer at the George is exciting, local, modern and great value for money. Thank you to everyone who makes the George so special.’

Steve & Emma Smith licensees of the George at Chideock, runners-up Palmers Brewery Food Pub of the Year 2015

The winning licensees will enjoy a weekend trip to Bath including a whistle stop tour of some of the city’s finest food pubs and will be presented with the Palmers Brewery Food Pub of the Year Perpetual Trophy.