The Rat Inn wins CGOC pub award

Phil Mason has won the Pub Restaurant Chef title at the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Awards.

Phil Mason, chef patron at The Rat Inn, has won the Pub Restaurant Chef title at the annual Craft Guild of Chefs' Awards.

Mason, who leads the team at the Hexham pub in Northumberland, impressed a panel of industry judges, which included Stosie Madi from The Parkers Arms, Dave Wall from The Unruly Pig and Tristan O'Hana, editor of Pub & Bar. 

Brewer and pub operator Adnams also represented the on-trade on stage at the event, as it scooped the Sustainability Excellence Award. 

Leading hospitality names such as Simon Rogan and Adam Handling were also among those recognised at the awards ceremony on 1 June 2023.

Rogan was awarded the highest accolade of the night, the Special Award, which is presented in recognition of going above and beyond during their career. Previous winners of this award include Angela Hartnett MBE, James Martin, Cyrus Todiwala, Heston Blumenthal OBE, Michel Roux OBE and Albert Roux OBE, Marco Pierre White and Raymond Blanc.

"Simon’s sustainable gastronomy ethos and focus on flavour has been an inspiration to many for more than 20 years," says David Mulcahy, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs. "In 2022, his restaurant L’Enclume received a much deserved third Michelin Star and we're delighted to recognise his life work by awarding him this year’s Special Award."

Handling was awarded the Restaurant Chef Award, and New Restaurant of the Year Award went to Upstairs by Tom Shepherd. 

The full list of winners

Accredited College Restaurant of the Year Award - Westminster Kingsway College

Apprentice Chef Award - Eimear McCarthy, Student, South Eastern Regional College

Armed Services Chef Award - Sgt Grahame Wickham, Unit Catering Manager, British Army

Banqueting and Events Chef Award - Ian Page, Executive Chef, Payne & Gunter

Chef Lecturer Award - Len Unwin, Curriculum Team Leader, Sheffield College

Chef's Favourite Branded Chain Restaurant - Prezzo

Competition Chef Award - Adam Thomason, Culinary Director, Absolute Taste

Contract Catering Chef Award - Wayne Corbett, Executive Chef, National Grid

Culinary Hero Award - Darren Passmore, Compass Group & Co Owner Rustic Rhubarb

Development Chef Award - Terry O'Riordan, Owner and Development Chef, Keto Chefs

New Restaurant of the Year Award - Upstairs by Tom Shepherd

Pastry Chef Award - Mark Perkins, Executive Pastry Chef, Rosewood London

Pub Restaurant Chef Award - Phil Mason, Chef Patron, The Rat Inn

Public Sector Catering Chef Award - Scott Freeman, Culinary Director, ESS Defence

Restaurant Chef Award - Adam Handling, Chef Owner, Adam Handling Restaurant Group

Sustainability Excellence Award - Adnams PLC

Young Chef Award - Nathan Johnson, Senior Chef de Partie, Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa

Special Award winner - Simon Rogan


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