Local pubs and farm shops scoop top food awards

The Stag and Hounds, at Burrough on the Hill, was named Dining Pub of the Year, while the Marquis of Granby, at Granby, scooped the honour for Classic Pub of the Year.

Staff at Thrussington’s Village Shop are celebrating winning the accolade for Deli of the Year with the business being described as ‘close to perfect’ by the judges.

Another Thrussington enterprise, Manor Farm Yogurt, was named Food producer of the year, and Great Dalby-based March House Farm Shop took the new category award for Food Hero of the Year.

The winners were chosen by judges from an initial shortlist drawn up from votes by more than 6,000 people.

The Great Food Club was founded 10 years ago by Melton resident, Matt Wright, to showcase the excellence of food and drink businesses in the East Midlands area.

Praise was fulsome for the Stag and Hounds and its head chef and co-founder, Dom Clarke, who took it over a year ago and has tranformed the menu, using local game and herbs and vegetables grown in the pub garden.

Judges said of the Dining Pub of the Year winner: ‘It is a genuine, friendly and down-to-earth village pub that also offers accomplished, seasonal cooking. On our visit, everything was well presented, beautifully cooked and delicious’.

The Marquis of Granby, which is the brewery tap for Brewster’s Brewery of Grantham, was lauded for the quality of its coffee and its beer, which is brewed by Sara Barton and her team.

The pub is said to be ‘an honest, down to earth and welcoming Vale of Belvoir boozer – it’s undoubtedly a classic!’

‘Friendly and warm, well cared-for, at the heart of the local community and, most important for this award, packed with delicious local produce’, was the judges citation for Thrussington’s Village Shop.

During the Covid crisis, owners Jo and Ben set up a delivery and a click and collect service and provided sterling service to the local community, it was pointed out.

On why it won the best deli award, the judges said: ‘Thrussington’s Village Store is the winner for being as close to a perfect little village deli and tearoom as it’s possible to get!’

The food producer of the year award went to Manor Farm Yogurt due to the fat-and protein-rich milk produced by the farm’s 300-strong herd of pedigree Friesians.

Owners Peter and Cheryl Holmes have farmed in Thrussington for more than 40 years, taking over from Peter’s father, who bought the farm before the Second World War.

Judges commented on the quality of the yogurt: ‘When you taste it, you’ll understand why – Manor Farm products are exceptional.

‘The ‘Natural Live Smooth & Creamy’ variety is velvety rich, deeply creamy, fresh and wholesome. The fruited versions are well balanced and subtly sweet.’

The Food Hero of the Year accolade was awarded to the team at March House Farm Shop at Great Dalby for their ‘inspirational hard work and positivity’ during a difficult 2020.

Judges said: ‘In the same week that lockdown began in March 2020, March House Farm launched an excellent online order and delivery service.

‘This became a lifeline for many households, while also putting the farm’s beef, lamb and pork on countless new tables around the region.

‘Since then, the team have maintained the momentum, reacting superbly to the twists and turns of the Covid saga, most recently by launching an al fresco Coffee Hut, a ‘Cow Barn’ Café, and by expanding the farm shop.’

A number of local businesses were also shortlisted for the awards - these were Northfield Farm and Gates’ Farm Shop, both of Cold Overton, Croxton Kerrial’s The Geese and Fountain pub, Apteeki at Melton, Brentingby Gin, plus Melton-based Feast and the Furious and Chez Sebastien Artisan Pizza.

Other award winners for 2020 are:

Fine-Dining Restaurant of the Year – Alchemilla, Nottingham;

Casual-Dining Restaurant of the Year – Hitchen’s Barn, Oakham;

World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year – Kushi-ya, Nottingham;

Café of the Year – All Mine Cakes by the Lake, Maythorne near Southwell, Nottinghamshire;

Food Shop of the Year – Welbeck Farm Shop, Welbeck, Nottinghamshire;

Drink Producer of the Year – Braybrooke Beer Co., Braybrooke, Market Harborough;

Farm Shop of the Year – Tori & Ben’s Farm Shop, Kings Newton, Derbyshire;

Bakery of the Year - The Bakehouse, Nottingham;

Butcher of the Year – Robin Maycocks, Holloway, Derbyshire (Best High-Street Butcher) and Owen Taylors, Alfreton, Derbyshire (Best Catering Butcher);

Private Chef of the Year (new category) – Craig Floate, Nottingham;

Street Food Producer of the Year (new category) – Smoqued, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

***Go to www.greatfoodclub.co.uk for more details on the Great Food Club.