A Suffolk pub has been named the best in the county – less than two years after it reopened its doors to customers in a village near Woodbridge.
The Turks Head, in Hasketon, which received the title in the National Pub and Bar Awards, could also be in line to scoop national honours next month.
Since reopening in November 2015, following a two-year closure, the village pub has been a finalist in the ‘newcomer’ category of the Great British Pub Awards – along with the Unruly Pig, in Bromeswell – as well as receiving a Good Food Guide mention and being named among the country’s top 50 gastropubs.
The kitchen is run by head chef Chandramauli Dwivedi, known as Mauli, who arrived from the Black Lion Hotel, in Long Melford. The new owners also reintroduced a pétanque pitch in the garden.
Manager Jess Avery said: “We’re very excited to receive the news.
“We’re chuffed to be named Suffolk’s best pub and are really looking forward to the national final.
“I think we must have been chosen because of our ethos for producing seasonal food with local ingredients.
“We have an Indian flair to our food with Mauli in the kitchen, and a beautiful garden with pétanque pitch.”
Staff planned to toast the news on the day of being notified, but were so busy with bookings that they had to postpone celebrations.
Other pubs named among the best in our region include the Galvin Green Man, in Essex; The Fancott, in Bedfordshire; The White Hart, Ufford, in Cambridgeshire; The Fox at Willian, in Hertfordshire, and the The Crown, in Pulham Market, Norfolk.
The 94 county winners will find out if they have won the national prize at an awards grand final at BAFTA in London on Tuesday, May 23.
Each was selected around multiple marks of quality, assessing every element of hospitality.
Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, said: “Our 94 County Winners are shining examples of that energy and creativity. They are what makes the pubs and bars of the UK so renowned. Congratulations to all of the finalists.”
The Turks Head will host a beer, cider and gin festival, including outdoor street food, on April 28, 29, 30.
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