Now that’s proper Mustard!

Nicola Story, Alistair DarbyA pioneering Leeds pub is celebrating after it was named Marston's Pub Company's Pub of the Year last night. The Mustard Pot in Chapel Allerton scooped the top national award as well as the top award in the entrepreneurial pub category in this year's Pub of the Year awards.

Judges praised the pub, which is run by Nicola Storey (pictured right), for its outstanding approach to innovation – as well as the way it goes the extra mile for customers.

Sophie Watson, Mustard Pot manager, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to have won this, I was shaking when they announced it, the Mustard Pot is Nicola's vision and Sophie Watson, Matt Jacqueswe accept this on her behalf, it means a great deal to all of us."

The six national category winners received their awards at a grand dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel Du Vin Birmingham with CEO Ralph Findlay, Marston's Pub Company MD Alistair Darby and many other members of the senior management team.

The Queen Victoria, in Llandudno, scooped the Newcomer award, after husband and wife team Tom and Carol Long successfully turned the pub's fortunes around since they took it over in June last year.

Meanwhile, The George and Dragon in Burton scooped the community pub award. Run by Graham Brawn and his partner Ruth Hadley, the pub is a focal point for the community. Most local meetings take place in the pub, which is popular with customers aged from 18 to 90 years old.

At The Alyn, in Wrexham, Alex and Andrew Smeaton picked up the Outside Trading Area award. Phoenix pub, the George & Dragon in Lichfield, run by Ross Fellows and his partner Kiera won the Cask Ale Pub of the Year award – it's also the only pub in the town to make the Good Beer Guide. Ross said: "This was the award we really, really wanted, as we don't do food or anything like that, but we do great cask beers and care very passionate about them."

And finally The Gray Ox at Hartshead, picked up the coveted Food Pub of the Year award.

Peter Lyne, organiser of Pub of the Year, said: "It's been a fantastic success, we had the highest number of entrants this year, the standard of which has been incredibly high. These winners we've chosen are leading lights, not just within Marston's estate, but the industry as well."

Created: 26th November 2010