Heston Blumenthal's Hind's Head is Michelin Pub of the Year

Heston Blumenthal's pub the Hinds Head in Bray-on-Thames, Berkshire, has been named Pub of the Year 2011 in the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs guide.

Michelin said the pub was a "proper" English pub, attracting drinkers to the bar with a proper selection of real ales."

Commenting on this year's guide, editor Derek Bulmer said: "Our guide shows that pubs are not dying, they are merely changing. The traditional drinking pub has undoubtedly been suffering but those that are making efforts with their food are flourishing. Even some of the breweries have acknowledged this and have begun recruiting talented chefs. If there is one message it is: adapt and thrive.

"We are also finding that these food-driven pubs are playing an even greater part in the local community. Chefs are rediscovering regional specialities and often deal directly with local farmers and many hold food-themed nights, such as pie nights or fish nights. We are pleased to see that most are also moving away from restaurant-style cooking and are now serving "proper" pub food."

The guide, which features 500 pubs in the UK and Ireland, is set to be published tomorrow. There are around 70 new additions to this year's edition, including Paul Bloxham's new pub, the Blue Anchor in St Albans, which also gained recognition in the Good Food Guide.

Last year's Pub of the Year award went to Mark Dodson's the Mason Arms in Devon.

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By Neil Gerrard

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