Winner of Best British Roast Dinner competition announced
The winner of the fifth Best British Roast Dinner competition is the Bunch of Grapes pub in Pontypridd, Wales.
After being announced one of five regional winners, Bunch of Grapes was visited by a team of mystery diners. The regional winners included the Granville, Canterbury (South England); the Narrow Boat at Weedon, Northampton (Midlands); the Blue Pig, Manchester (North England); and Kyloe restaurant, Edinburgh (Scotland). Each regional winner will receive £2,500 of PR support to help them drum up extra business off the back of their success in the competition.
The title was awarded to coincide with the end of British Roast Dinner week 2016, sponsored by Knorr and Colman's. It seeks to promote the popularity of the roast dinner, encourage it to be served every day rather than only on Sundays, and show its ability to boost bookings and food revenue for pubs, canteens, hotels and restaurants.
Chris Brown, channel trade marketing manager at Unilever Food Solutions, said: "In five years of running this competition, we've never seen so many top quality entries. Our judges certainly had their work cut out. However, in the end, they decided Bunch of Grapes' roast was just a cut above the rest."
Nick Otley, owner of the Bunch of Grapes, said: "We're really happy to have won - it's an awesome achievement. Being shortlisted last year, it's been great to top that this year and take the national title. It's a real testament to our commitment to be the best we can be."
Charles Campion, who led the expert judging panel, said: "There's something wonderful about a truly great roast dinner. It's a classic dish and you know where you are - for every Yorkshire pud there should be great gravy; for every perfect slice of roast meat a crisp roast potato. At this year's winner of the Best British Roast Dinner competition, the Bunch of Grapes in Pontypridd, they take roast dinners very seriously: fresh seasonal veg, meat from local farms and friendly service. The world would be a much happier place if everyone could count on their local for a roast dinner like this."
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