The Duck Inn at Stanhoe celebrates rejoining The Top 50 Gastropubs
The Duck Inn has received what its chef patron describes as 'the best Christmas present ever' after it was informed it had rejoined the prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK.
The Duck first made the list in 2019, coming in at an incredible Number 35 in the list and this year they are more thrilled than ever to have been included.
The list is created by leading industry experts and fellow gastropubs and is regarded as the bible of the best gastropubs across the whole the UK.
Ben Handley, chef patron, said: “Being included in the 2021 Top 50 Gastropubs is the best Christmas present we could have wished for, especially after this most awful of years.
"The Top 50 community are some of the most inspiring and genuine people you could wish to meet. We have a group chat on WhatsApp and the support everyone has shown to each other in 2020 has been heartwarming.
"You could offer me a Michelin star, but this is the award that means the most, simply because of the wonderful group of people who are involved across the board.
"We have made friends for life with so many people from the Top 50, people who are so passionate about the hospitality industry as a whole, their staff, and their communities. 2020 has proved how vital pubs are to communities, so to have been named in the Top 50 of the UK makes it very special indeed.
"Our wonderful team here at The Duck will tell you just how emotional I got opening that little brown envelope this morning. It means the world to us."
His brother Sam Handley, general manager, said: "We are very proud of this achievement, which is all thanks to the wonderful team at The Duck Inn, as well as our suppliers.
"In this most difficult of years, to receive any commendation would be worth celebrating, however the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Awards will always be very special to us, there is real integrity about everything The Top 50 team do, and to be counted by them amongst the best gastropubs in the country is a wonderful feeling.”
The Duck Inn are offering Christmas Day Hampers which can be ordered online at www.duckinn.co.uk/christmas and are running a competition on social media asking people to nominate somebody who they feel deserves to win a three-course ourse Christmas Lunch Hamper.
