A POPULAR pub in Suffolk has been recognised as top of its class in a regional competition.The Dog at Grundisburgh was recently named best gastro pub in East Anglia in the Great British Pub Awards.

A POPULAR pub in Suffolk has been recognised as top of its class in a regional competition.

The Dog at Grundisburgh was recently named best gastro pub in East Anglia in the Great British Pub Awards.

Run by two brothers, James and Charles Rogers, the pub was praised for staying true to its roots and remaining a proper English pub.

James Rogers, head chef, told of his team's delight at winning the award, recognising five years of hard work.

“One of the most important things about winning this award is the fact we are still a pub, we haven't had our heart pulled out, we are still a proper country pub where you are just as welcome in your wellies and with your dog as you are in your Sunday best.”

Speaking about the recipe to their success Mr Rogers singled out the importance of good quality local produce and suppliers.

He said: “We have a very consistent cracking group of local suppliers. It is really important to us to use local produce, its essential really, whether it is Blythburgh pork, beef from a farm in the village or Gressingham duck.

“There are some great guys in Suffolk producing fantastic products; you can be a talented chef but without good quality produce it doesn't matter.”

James Rogers was also named Best Chef at another awards ceremony run by British Turkey last Thursday.