Nomination form
It was a dedication to staff training that singled out last year's winner of the Pub Operator of the Year Catey. Proprietor John Vereker at the Bell Inn in Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex, was marked out for his commitment and dedication to staff training, which was described by judge Ian Harkness, managing director of Shire Inns, as "outstanding" - a sentiment echoed across the judging panel.
About 1% of the pub's annual turnover is invested in the training of his staff, with all eight front of house staff having been on the Wine & Sprit Education Trust basic course. Four of them have gone on to do the higher certificate. One staff member has also been on a craft trainer's course to enable her to train new members of staff on a one-to-one basis in the restaurant. In addition, Vereker arranges for staff to visit trade shows and eat in well-known restaurants for them to gain experience of the industry.
Fellow pub operator and winner of this category in 1998, Denis Watkins, of the Angel Inn, Hetton, North Yorkshire, described Vereker as an "exceptional and dedicated proprietor with many years' success, working to the highest professional standard - a true professional pub operator, complete in every way".
The restaurant itself at the Bell Inn seats only 40 people, and the demand for the food led to customers asking if they could order à la carte and eat in the bar area. Consequently, Vereker extended the kitchen and employed two more chefs and some front of house staff. Having doubled the à la carte menu, Vereker and his wife Christine were careful to retain the pub atmosphere, a point picked up by the judges and commented upon by David Hancock, editor of the AA Pub Guide, who said he had created a "stylish and fantastic pub atmosphere with quality food".
Previous winner Charles Brierley of the White Hart Inn in Lydgate, Greater Manchester, comments that winning the award was a "huge surprise and obviously a great honour", adding that it was something that his staff could also appreciate.
If you know someone who can match the standards set by last year's winner, fill in the form on page 36 of this brochure. All nominations need to be accompanied with a statement of up to 200 words on a separate piece of paper. Closing date for nominations is 22 February, and judging will take place on 7 May at the Millennium Britannia, London.
Judges' criteria
- The Pub Operator of the Year award is open to individuals who run, own or manage a pub with a strong food element.
- The judges are looking for someone who demonstrates sound business planning combined with a good grasp of financial matters.
- Flair and innovation are also important - candidates should show imaginative use of the resources available to them.
- This award is likely to go to an individual who is not only a good host and serves good food, but also has a commitment to staff training and shows involvement in the community.
2001 Winner:
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Gordon Ramsay presents John
Vereker with the Pub Operator
of the Year trophy, on behalf of
Booker Cash & Carry |
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Previous Winners:
- 2000 Charles Brierley
- 1999 Paul Whittome
- 1998 Denis Watkins
- 1997 Steven and Marjorie Doherty
Sponsored by: Booker
Sponsor message: As Britain’s leading cash and carry operator, Booker is delighted to be sponsoring the Catey Pub Operator of the Year award for the second year running.
Seen as the catering industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, the Cateys are highly prestigious awards, and with interest in food and eating out on the rise, the Pub Operator of the Year is a more sought after accolade than ever before. It recognises dynamic individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the pub industry, through exceptional business planning, innovation and of course, a superlative food offer. The winner will also be committed to staff training, motivation and ongoing involvement in the wider community.
A significant proportion of Booker’s 300,000 catering customers are pub caterers, which means that it too must keep innovating in order to stay one step ahead of exciting developments in the business. An example of this is Booker’s partnership with chef Gordon Ramsay. Gordon has been working with Booker and advising on its catering proposition for the past 18 months.
We’d like to take this opportunity to wish all winners the best of luck for the future and to congratulate them on the truly inspirational standards they are setting.
Nomination form
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