The head chef of a popular Armitage pub has been officially recognised as serving the best food in Britain by taking top honours in the industry’s leading food awards.

Adrian Vince of the Plum Pudding Bar & Restaurant on Main Road, which is owned by Punch Pub Company, has been named the Pub Chef of the Year by the Publican Magazine in its 2002 Pub Food Awards.

Beating off competition from hundreds of other chefs around the country, 31 year-old Adrian impressed the panel of judges with his passion for food, attention to customer care and the well being of his staff along with the ability to interact at all levels.

Francis Patton, commercial director for Punch Pub Company, said: “The Publican Pub Food Awards are widely recognised as one of the most prestigious industry accolades and this win for Adrian is an achievement to be very proud of.”

Licensee of the Plum Pudding, Diane Takhar, said: “Nothing is too much trouble for him.  He makes all his own sauces, gets up at 4am every Thursday to go to the vegetable market, helps the staff with their training and chats to customers as well – his enthusiasm is endless!”

Punch Pub Company owns 4,300 tenanted and leased pubs across the UK.  For more information, log onto www.punchpubs.co.uk.

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