Philip and Stephen Harris, the Sportsman, Whitstable
Brothers Philip and Stephen Harris took over the Sportsman, a down-at-heel pub in Whitstable, Kent, in November 1999. With Philip as landlord and Stephen as chef-patron, they have transformed it into a highly successful Michelin-rated, food-led operation based on a simple formula - outstanding food prepared with fresh ingredients and served in relaxed, unpretentious surroundings.
They started with £30,000 and set out to create the relaxed, informal atmosphere they wanted to achieve. Their aim was that the bitter drinkers at the bar should feel equally at home as the diners. Their business strategy was simple - keep overheads low, don't compromise on the goals and reinvest profits. The menu focuses on fresh local fish - smoked eel, oysters and local brill, with starters averaging £4 and main courses costing just over £10.
"They've concluded that there's more to life than lager, and that the Sportsman is there to serve the local people," commented judge Andrew Pern, owner of the Star Inn in Harome, North Yorkshire, and last year's Pub Operator of the Year. "They use local produce, producing exceptional food, superbly presented and served by a front-of-house team with excellent product knowledge."
Judge John McNamara, chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping, was equally impressed. "It's definitely in my top 10 best pubs. If I lived in the area I'd be there every other Sunday with my family. Both the food and atmosphere are brilliant".
The brothers' achievement is even more remarkable given that Stephen has no formal training as a chef. He taught himself by researching what other chefs were doing and how they did it. By visiting restaurants and experimenting at home, he prepared similar dishes, adding his own flair.
Following this example, the brothers take their staff each month to some of London's top restaurants for inspiration and ideas and to discover how food should be served. This initiative and their commitment to the local community was applauded by the judging panel.
This is an outstanding business, achieving outstanding results. The Sportsman is a pub with fantastic food and a lovely location, agreed this year's judging panel and, "at its very heart it has passion, soul and vision".
Judges
SARAH HEWARD Managing director, Corney & Barrow Wine Bars
JOHN McNAMARA Chief executive, British Institute of Innkeeping
ANDREW PERN Chef-owner, the Star Inn
COLIN WELLSTEAD Director, Christie & Co
Previous Winners:
2002 Andrew and Jacquie Pern
2001 John Vereker
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.
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