Queen's Head in Chesham wins Fuller's Pub of the Year competition
London-based pub company and brewer Fuller's has named the Queen's Head in Chesham, Bucks, as the winner of its annual Pub of the Year competition.
The pub was awarded with the company's Griffin Trophy at a ceremony held in the Fuller's boardroom at its Chiswick base on 6 November 2012.
The Griffin Trophy awards recognise the efforts and achievements of the company's top managers and licensees in five categories, Outstanding Achievement, Best City pub, Best Town/Local pub, Best Country/Village pub and Best Hotel or Inn.
Presenting the historic trophy to the manager of The Queen's Head, Lisa Walker, Fuller's chairman Michael Turner said: "I am delighted to be presenting the Griffin Trophy to Lisa and the team at The Queen's Head.
"Lisa's pub is a delight to visit, and her effervescent character and infectious enthusiasm means that customers will always leave with a smile. She is a true part of the local community and consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty in raising money for local causes, such as running marathons or organising the annual ‘Tour de Pednor' cycle race.
"The lovely old building oozes charm and atmosphere, while Lisa and her team deliver a warm welcome, outstanding real ales and superb Thai food. The pub is convivial and really sets its stall out as soon as you walk in the door. The warmth is helped by the pub's real fires and scattered cosy areas, allowing large gatherings of friends or intimate meetings just as easily.
"Lisa keeps an exceptional bar too, so if you're looking for a top quality range of beers and wines this is certainly a place to seek out."
Lisa Walker, manager of The Queen's Head, said: "A pub is nothing without its people so I would like to thank all my customers who have supported the pub over the years and especially my wonderful staff, who make the pub what it is.
"We have always tried to ensure we get the basics right, while also adding a few little touches to surprise and delight the customers. We were close to winning this title once before and we were determined to come back and win it, and we have. I can't believe it."
The prize for the winning pub comprises a £5,000 holiday, a staff party, an engraved plaque and the Griffin Trophy itself. As winner, Lisa will also be invited to help judge the competition in 2013.
By Neil Gerrard
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