Two of our tenants made Britain's top 50 gastropubs list

T wo pubs in our tenanted estate, the Cornish Arms (Tavistock) and the St Kew Inn (Bodmin), have made this year’s prestigious Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs – a list of the top foodie pubs in Britain.

Much deserved recognition, we're delighted for our tenants at the Cornish Arms and St Kew Inn.

This recognition is the jewel in the crown for gastropubs across the UK, voted for by top foodies and hospitality experts. Judges include fellow gastropub operators, food writers and top industry chefs. The voting criteria ensures the top 50 really is decided by the industry.

It’s the 9th year that the Cornish Arms has featured, moving up two places this year to number 14. It’s the first time that the St Kew Inn has made the top 50, ranking at 36.  

 

Since opening the pub in May 2013, the Cornish Arms has flourished as a destination pub. Run by husband-and-wife duo John and Emma Hooker, the pub serves unpretentious, mouth-watering dishes, made with local produce. It has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for offering high-quality food at an affordable price and was also named as one of six national finalists for the title of Best Food Pub in 2016’s Great British Pub Awards. John has been named Chef of the Year at the coveted Trencherman's awards. He’s also held 3AA Rosettes, featured in the Good Food Guide and competed on BBC 2’s Great British Menu.

The St Kew Inn nestles in the beautiful Parish of St Kew and offers everything expected of a traditional village pub in the Cornish countryside. Run by Sarah Allen and Mike Masters, the 15th century the Inn retains many of its original features including a glorious open fireplace, as well as four separate dining areas. The venue takes pride in the quality and presentation of its food offering, made with locally sourced ingredients served wherever possible. The choice and quality of food prepared in its renowned kitchens, provides a superb selection of delicious dishes. The team specialise in cooking over wood fires, which recently featured on Rick Stein’s Cornwall on BBC Two.

 

Speaking after the announcement John Hooker, Cornish Arms said:

“It’s such a privilege to be named as one of the top 50 gastro pubs in the country. We have made the list for the past nine years – the Oscars of the pub world – which is credit to our amazing, hardworking, dedicated, and professional team at the Cornish. To be part of this list alongside operators that I have admired and looked up to for the whole of my career - and inspired me to run my own pub - blows me away year on year. Thank you to every single individual associated with the Cornish Arms who make it so very special.”

 

Jim Sloan, Head of St Austell Brewery’s Tenanted Estate said;

Congratulations to the Cornish Arms and the St Kew Inn for this much deserved recognition. We are delighted that they have both been awarded for their exceptional food offering and service. Featuring on this list is a big achievement on a national scale, and we’re extremely proud to be working in partnership with such fantastic teams.

 

For more information about the Cornish Arms, visit https://www.thecornisharmstavistock.co.uk/

For more information about the St Kew Inn, visit https://www.stkewinn.co.uk/