[P]enrith and The Border MP Rory Stewart has commended local pub chef Stephen Tierney, from The Cross Keys Inn, Penrith, as part of the Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year award. Although Stephen was not selected as one of the national finalists, he was selected by the local MP as a superb chef offering great food in the local area. The award, sponsored by Nestlé Professional, 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, 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. The Pub Chef of the Year award seeks to build on that work, and encourage young chefs towards a career in the pub trade.
Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “I am delighted that Rory Stewart MP nominated a local pub for this award. We received so many brilliant entries and while not everyone could be a winner, we were extremely impressed by the quality of food on offer.
“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.”
Rory Stewart MP said: “Pubs, as an industry, are of huge importance to our communities, and both the local, and national economy, and we are lucky enough in Penrith and The Border to have so many of such great quality. It was very hard to choose who to nominate, but I am delighted to be able to present Stephen with this certificate in recognition of his superb talent and hard work.”
