Food and drink awards for two Hunts gastro-pubs
IT has been a good week for quality wining and dining establishments in Huntingdonshire, with wins for both the Old Bridge Hotel in Huntingdon and the Cock in Hemingford Grey. The ivy-clad 18th century Old Bridge, owned and run by Master of Wine John Hosk
IT has been a good week for quality wining and dining establishments in Huntingdonshire, with wins for both the Old Bridge Hotel in Huntingdon and the Cock in Hemingford Grey.
The ivy-clad 18th century Old Bridge, owned and run by Master of Wine John Hoskins, received nationwide recognition when it received the Wine Award for England at the AA Hospitality Awards 2009-2010. The AA, celebrating the best in hospitality for over 100 years, held the glamorous black-tie ceremony, hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky, at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Mr Hoskins received the award in front of a high-profile audience of 800 members of the hospitality industry, including world-renowned celebrity chefs, prominent hoteliers, hospitality gurus and key industry media.
At the event, he said: "Thank you for recognising a list where the emphasis is on quality of selection and value, rather than the compendium of multi-vintages of unaffordable grand names - as is the norm in so many top restaurants."
The Old Bridge's atmosphere is of a relaxed, bustling inn, a popular destination for the local community, the AA said.
AA Hotel Services group area manager Giovanna Grossi said: "We selected the Old Bridge Hotel for the Wine Award for England because it boasts an outstanding wine list, including rare wines produced in small quantities, with an emphasis on quality as well as value. A monthly-changing selection of fine wines can be tasted in perfect condition due to the "Enomatic" system."
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Meanwhile, at the Cock, licensees Oliver Thain and Richard Bradley were celebrating their being named Dining Pub of the Year 2010 by The Good Pub Guide.
"With the recession breathing down our necks, the appealing pricing of their imaginative set lunches makes the Cock at Hemingford Grey our national Dining Pub of the Year," the judges said.
"Excellent modern food is served in a pretty pub with a stylishly simple spotless restaurant, an extensive wine list plus other drinks including four real ales. Service is excellent, and there's a friendly, bustling atmosphere with a good mix of locals and visitors," they added.
