The awards are presented at the Bull on Bell Street, in Henley. Left to right, rear, are: Nigel and Julie Rainbow, Three Horseshoes; Katrena Derricourt-Gibson, Catherine Wheel; Brakspear chief executive, Tom Davies; Mark and Sandra Duggan, Chequers; David Thompson and Chris Peverell, Belgian Arms. Front row: Vanessa Cooke, Catherine Wheel; Julie &and Hendrik Dutson-Steinfeld, White Horse
Seven Brakspear licensees were rewarded at the company’s 2018 Hospitality Awards, each receiving a £500 cheque and plaque for display in their pub.
The awards, now in their sixth year, recognise tenants who have excelled either in one area of their business, or demonstrating across-the-board achievement.
Sales growth, mystery customer scores and Tripadvisor reports are all factored into the judging process, which includes independent judges in a number of categories.
Chief executive, Tom Davies, said: “The Hospitality Awards are a fun evening for all the tenants, head office team members and suppliers who join us, but the process of choosing our winners is something we take seriously; all nominations are reviewed thoroughly, and there’s always healthy debate among the judges about who should win.
“Every year, judging the awards reminds us of how many talented tenants we have running our pubs. Tonight’s winners should be very proud of their success, and we know they’ll be celebrating again when back in their pub, thanking the teams who have helped them to take the top prizes.”
The Hospitality Awards, attended by around 100 guests, were held in a marquee outside the Bull on Bell Street, in Henley, close to Brakspear’s Bell Street microbrewery and its head office.
Award winners
Best newcomer: David Thompson, Belgian Arms, Holyport, near Maidenhead
Best kept cellar: Nigel and Julia Rainbow, Three Horseshoes, Henley
Best business builder: Vanessa Cooke and Katrena Derricourt-Gibson, Catherine Wheel, Goring-on-Thames
Best garden: Andrew and Jacqueline James, Prince of Wales, Caversham
Best Sunday roast: Hendrik and Julie Dutson-Steinfeld, White Horse, Kings Sutton, near Banbury
Best all-rounder: Mark Dunlop, Angel on the Bridge, Henley
Best fundraiser: a new award this year, presented to Mark and Sandra Duggan at the Chequers, in Berrick Salome, Oxfordshire. (Instead of a cheque, they received an overnight VIP trip to Chase Distillery’s Verzon House Hotel, in Herefordshire).
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