Pilgrim Inn wins Fuller's Hampshire Dish of the Year

The Pilgrim Inn at Marchwood near Southampton has won Fuller's Hampshire Dish of the Year competition, held in conjunction with The Hampshire Food Festival.

The aim of the competition was for Fuller's pub chefs to create a dish based on locally sourced ingredients that they would happily serve on their pub menu.

The winning dish was New Forest 28-day-aged fillet steak served with a smoked bacon and cream sauce, fondant potato, carrots and a Loosehanger cheese and lavender crisp, created by The Pilgrim Inn's chef Aaron Pace.

Research by Fuller's has shown that 70% of its dining customers want more locally sourced produce on the menu - something which the pub operator said it is now trying to achieve with partner Hampshire Fare, the county food group.

The competition and involvement in Hampshire Food Festival gives Fuller's pubs the opportunity to trial this with their customers with the long-term aim that the pubs continue to source locally all year-round.

Winning head chef Aaron Pace of The Pilgrim Inn commented: "I believe my winning formula was down to using simple ingredients but cooking them skilfully with an attention to detail. There is lots of good produce here in Hampshire and our customers appreciate us using them as much as we can. For our specials menu, which changes every two to three days, I call my local suppliers to see what's available and in season, then design the menu around this. I was very happy to win this competition, I had hoped to reach the finals but never expected to win!"

Judges visited 26 competing Fuller's pubs in Hampshire earlier this month during July's Hampshire Food Festival. Four pubs went through to be judged at the finals by Fuller's Inns operations director Jonathon Swaine, The Morning Advertiser food editor Jo Bruce, Hampshire Fare's Susie Carter and food journalist John Porter.

Finalists included The Kings Head at Wickham for its Trafalgar canoe trout with Meon Valley watercress and scallop mousse; The Wykeham Arms in Winchester for its Plantation pork - a starter dish consisting of ham hock terrine, slow-roasted cheek of pork, homemade black pudding served with a local apple puree, pea puree and homemade bread made from Winchester City Mill flour; The Alice Lisle at Ringwood for its cannon of lamb wrapped in a tarragon, chicken and blue cheese mousse served with fennel puree, baby vegetables and a rosemary foam, as well as The Pilgrim Inn at Marchwood. The Wykeham Arms in Winchester was awarded 2nd place.

Competition judge Susie Carter of Hampshire Fare said: " It was great to see so many Hampshire Fare food and drink producers being showcased in this Fuller's competition. The winning dish from The Pilgrim Inn was very tasty. I hope this encourages people to seek out local food and drink on restaurant menus when they go out to eat".

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By Neil Gerrard

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