Posted: 4th October 2016
Two Kent Pubs Shortlisted For Top Food And Drink Awards
Two Shepherd Neame pubs are among the finalists for Pub of the Year in this year’s Kent Life and Kent on Sunday Food and Drink Awards.
The winners will be announced during an awards dinner held at the Ashford International Hotel on October 17.
The Compasses in Crundale, run by licensees Rob and Donna Taylor, and the Cock Inn in Boughton Monchelsea, run by licensees Dave and Jo Whitehurst, are two of three pubs shortlisted for the award.
Hidden above the Downs between Canterbury and Ashford, the Compasses Inn is a quaint rural pub, renowned for its food. Rob, who is head chef, is also one of three finalists in the competition’s Chef of the Year category. It is the latest in a recent string of honours for the Compasses, which won Tenanted Pub of the Year in the Shepherd Neame Pub Awards 2016, and has been shortlisted for Best Food Pub in this year’s Great British Pub Awards. It also won the Kent Life and Kent on Sunday Food and Drink Awards Pub of the Year prize in 2015.
Rob said:
Donna and I took on the Compasses in 2013, and our aim was to offer fantastic food in the sort of comfortable environment we would like to visit. We were thrilled to win the award last year, and are so pleased to be finalists again this year!
The Cock Inn is an historic pub dating back to the 16th century, situated in picturesque countryside just four miles from Leeds Castle near Maidstone. It still boasts many original features such as exposed beams and inglenook fireplaces, and is renowned for its delicious menu of fine country cooking.
Dave, who has run the pub with wife Jo for 15 years, said:
We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for this award. We wouldn’t have been in this game for so long if we didn’t love what we do, and it is fantastic to have our efforts, and that of our dedicated team, recognised in this way.
For more information visit:
The Compasses, The Cock Inn, or the Food & Drink Awards website.