Double celebration for The Duck Inn, Stanhoe
A Stanhoe pub has been named runner-up for Best Sunday Roast by The Observer newspaper, meaning it has been a finalist for eight consecutive years.
The Duck Inn has also made it into The Good Food Guide.
Chef patron Ben Handley said: “I was over the moon to see we had been recognised for a great Sunday lunch. We've been runners up for almost as long as we’ve had the Duck.
"Sunday lunch is something that was always very important to me when opening our first business and I feel as strongly today as before. We have an incredible team to be grateful for, incredibly supportive customers and world class producers.
"For us to be recognised so consistently by these annual awards is so special to us all at the Duck Inn and gives me a confidence boost during what has been a precarious time for so many small businesses.”
The Observer said the following about The Duck Inn: “A pub lunch leaning towards gastro. There’s crab bisque and beignets to start, meat is sourced locally, seaweed butter bastes the trout, with seasonal pasta or fried-chicken flatbread for those who don’t want the whole shebang.”
Ben added: “Seeing the Duck recognised by the Good Food Guide absolutely made my day. The Guide has always been so important to me and us all at the Duck. We have very fond memories of attending the annual awards when we won Best Local Restaurant in 2017.
"I was delighted to hear the Guide would be renewed under new support as I feel it has always been very important for the hospitality industry as a whole.
"I very much like the new digital version and will work hard to ensure our standards are maintained or better, improved upon.
"This recognition has given me and the team a great feeling of satisfaction and will spur me on to ensure we can continue to offer great hospitality at the Duck.”
The Good Food Guide said: “Almost a decade ago, Ben and Sarah Handley took on this roadside pub with a simple ambition: to tell Norfolk’s food story through the accomplished, fuss-free cooking of local ingredients. Nothing’s changed, thankfully, at the ever-hospitable Duck Inn.”