TWO pubs in south Cumbria have been listed in the UK's top 50 Gastropubs.
The Black Bull, in Main Street, Sedbergh, has been included in the prestigious Estrella Damm Top 50 UK Gastropubs awards 2020, listed at number 35.
Heft at High Newton, owned by Nicola and Kevin Tickle, is listed at number 43.
The UK's best pub chefs gathered at The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge, Suffolk, the UK's number one gastropub in 2022, to enjoy Chef/Patron Dave Wall and Head Chef, Karl Green's food.
The awards are now in their 14th year and are designed to showcase the very best pubs and pub food in Great Britain.
Each year the rankings are compiled using hundreds of votes from food critics and writers, gastropub chefs and other food influencers.
The south of England dominated this year's list, claiming 22 of the Top 50 while the north of England wasn't far behind - claiming 16 of the top 50 spots, including The Parkers Arms in Clitheroe, Lancashire, topping the list at number one, after being voted number two last year.
Top 50 Gastropubs publisher Chris Lowe said: ''We are thrilled to see such a strong list of contenders this year, including five new entrants. The Top 50 Gastropubs provides a space for food and drink lovers the opportunity to explore the best that the UK has to offer. We are delighted to host this year’s event at The Unruly Pig, showcasing the vast amount of talent across the UK''
The Black Bull’s co-owner James Ratcliffe said: ''We’re aim to offer our guests the whole package - great food, a beautiful setting, warm service and genuine Dales hospitality and awards like this voted for by our peers up and down the country show that we are heading in the right direction.''
The Inn is focused on "serving an array of delicious dishes crafted from the freshest possible produce available from the surrounding landscape."
Heft’s Chef Patron Kevin Tickle said: “Being in the top 50 is a fantastic achievement for any pub and it really encourages you to keep pushing yourself. We’ve tried to ensure that we get things right by creating a village pub with a really relaxed vibe, serving good beer and wine alongside an ever changing locally sourced seasonal menu in the restaurant.
“People seem to appreciate what we’re doing, which I guess is why we’ve got a good mix of customers, including our local regulars and guests from across the northwest and even further afield. There’s no doubt that we are heading in the right direction, and we’ll keep pushing ahead with what we want to achieve for the pub, and this recognises where we want to be.’’
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