Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson has nominated local pub chef Samuel Percival at the Drax Arms for the inaugural Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year award. Samuel will be judged by an expert panel which will decide whether he will go through to the final stages. The award, sponsored by Nestlé Professional, will be presented in the New Year and is run by the British Beer & Pub Association and the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group.
Pubs serve almost a billion meals a year, with more and more pubs recognising that great food will attract more customers. Pubs are also vital to the local economy in every part of the country, offering valuable and flexible employment. With a national shortage of pub chefs, earlier this year the BBPA, in conjunction with the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) launched the Pub Chef Passion initiative, aimed at promoting the pub chef as a career option. This award seeks to build on that work, and encourage young chefs towards a career in the pub trade.
Michael Tomlinson MP comments:
“I am really pleased to nominate Sam and the Drax Arms Pub in Bere Regis. Local pubs are vital to our communities, especially in rural areas. Food is becoming ever more important to local pubs and it is right that we recognise those chefs who have gained excellent local reputations.”
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said,
“I am delighted that Michael Tomlinson MP is working with us on this new award. A career as a pub chef is exciting and demanding, and it offers young people development, rewards and a great working environment.
“Pubs are increasingly serving very high quality food, and for ambitious chefs, it’s a great chance to quickly take control of your own kitchen. I think it is time that we recognise the efforts of superb chefs up and down the country.”