MAGAZINE

Borderline brilliance

You’ll see that following the pages covering this year’s National Pub & Bar Awards (22 onwards), we have a food and drink pairing feature (page 30). Based on this welcome note, I’d love to say that was purposeful, but really it is one of life’s happy coincidences. 

For the overall winner of the 2024 event – the National Pub & Bar of the Year no less – stood out for myriad reasons, but the journey it is on with its menus, in particular its food, was a delight to behold during the judging process this year.

The George Inn, Norton St. Philip, is part of the Butcombe Boutique Inns portfolio within the Liberation Group’s estate, and although technically it falls into a ‘managed’ approach, it hasn’t hindered its original offer in the slightest. In fact, one could say it has only helped it reach the standards it’s currently operating to, thanks to the exec team overseeing its style. 

Despite knowing the passion and detail that Alice Bowyer, Liberation Group’s exec chef, goes to when devising menus for her employer, we also know all too well that just because a group’s approach is sound, the quality at the top doesn’t always trickle down to every site. But the standard experienced at The George made it feel like this was a pioneering independent with a passionate head chef at the helm, complemented massively by the pristine venue itself and the customer journey you go on when walking through its ancient doors. It’s a brilliant pub and a standout example of what a forward-thinking operator can do with such a historical building. 

As always, the National Pub & Bar Awards once again exhibited the undeniable talent, hard work and borderline brilliance that the people within the industry are delivering on a daily basis, all year round. Congratulations to every single winner this year – we already can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.

Tristan O’Hana - Editor