Best pub in Oxfordshire jostles to be the best in the land

A Thame pub has been named the Best Pub in Oxfordshire at the inaugural National Pub & Bar Awards 2016, earning the popular gastro pub the chance to go forward to the grand finals next month and be a regional or even national winner.

Tom Upham, Head Chef and Evelin Rae, General Manager, The Thatch, Thame

Manager at The Thatch, Evelin Rae and her team celebrated with a glass of bubbly on learning that the pub had been named top in its county, one of only 94 from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to earn the accolade of being best in their area.

As county winner, Evelin will be off to London’s iconic BAFTA theatre on Tuesday, May 24, to the National Pub & Bar Awards Grand Final, when 12 regional winners and one overall National Pub & Bar of the Year will be announced.

“It’s a great honour to be named best in our county and to have a shot at being the South East winner or even come away with the title of best pub in the land at the National Pub & Bar Awards,” said Evelin. “With so many fine hostelries on our doorstep, we know there’s a lot of stiff competition out there so it’s fantastic to be recognised by being a finalist.

“In the eight years we’ve been at the pub, we have invested a lot into it, bringing a new look and feel to the place, seasonal food and a quality drink offer served by people who’ve been well trained and who like me, love working here. We are proud of what we have achieved and even prouder at being able to represent the county at the awards,” she added.

The Thatch joins 93 other county winners selected by Pub & Bar magazine’s internal judging panel on all of the aspects required to provide ultimate hospitality within the on-trade. The panel looked at everything from perfect service to product range, aesthetic design to entertainment schedules in selecting its finalists.

Tristan O’Hana, Editor of Pub & Bar magazine, said: “These pubs represent all that is great about the modern on-trade. You can only imagine the fantastic variety of operations we have discovered through the judging process – it’s been an absolute pleasure to investigate just how all of these incredible operators run their businesses.

“What’s great about the awards is that all the attendees of the grand final are already winners – we’re very much looking forward to celebrating with everyone at BAFTA in London on May 24.”

The Thatch is at 29-30 Lower High Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340.
www.thethatchthame.co.uk