WITH another of its reigning champions urging the county’s foodies to enter this, the tenth year of the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, we reflect on the impact that the competition has had on some of the winners of the last nine years.
In this, the fourth in the series, we pay a visit to The Saracen’s Head at Little Brington which in the 2012/13 Awards not only took the title of Booker Food Pub of the Year but also saw its head chef, William Mountain, named Booker Young Chef – a double success which still brings a smile to the culinary master’s face.
“The pub had been a finalist in the first three years of the competition and, indeed, had been runner-up twice, so we’d already experienced the considerable impact brought by the publicity of those successes,” said William.
“But what we hadn’t appreciated was the even greater increase in custom that was prompted by our win, which saw sales up by almost 30 per cent and often had us turning away diners at the weekends because we simply couldn’t squeeze them in.”
With the venue continuing to hold its place as one of the county’s favourite eateries, it’s hardly surprising that its various certificates and trophies are still on proud display in the main dining area, while William’s own success in securing the chef title also remains a career highlight
“I was only 24 at the time and, coming off the back of being made head chef just months earlier, it was an absolute thrill to reward my bosses – who just happen to be my parents-in-law – for putting their trust in me,” said William.
“Having the judges commend me for my skills and be so appreciative of the dishes I served at the cook-off gave me a massive confidence boost and, ever since my victory, I’ve encouraged other chefs to enter to take advantage of the opportunity, even if it’s simply for the invaluable feedback you receive even if you don’t win.
“Ten years on, the competition has only grown in stature and securing one of its now famous logos is something to which I know pubs, restaurants, chefs and producers now aspire, while the chance to attend the spectacular dinner is worth it in itself.”
Indeed, it was at that celebration in 2016 that William was left speechless after meeting his culinary idol, Michel Roux Sr MBE, a man he describes as ‘inspirational and a food genius’, something he says simply wouldn’t have been possible without the competition.
And so it is that, this month, William’s career takes a culinary turn as he and wife Hannah and his parents-in-law, Duncan and Sarah, bid a fond farewell to the pub to pursue their new venture, Stonewalls Catering.
The business, which incorporates the two arms of Curbside Cakes and Hogs & Hops – serving gourmet burgers and locally brewed ales – is already making its name in the county and William, who is about to become a dad for the second time, says the whole family is delighted to be staying a part of the local food scene.
“Running a pub is great fun but it’s also very hard work and we’re all looking forward to this exciting new phase,” said William.
“Sadly there’s not yet a category in the competition for outside caterers as such but we’re very much hoping to take our reputation with us, and that’s a reputation for which we have the awards to thank in helping us to achieve.”
For more details on Stonewalls Catering, visit www.hogsandhops.co.uk or call or 07951 702343 or find them on Facebook.
Meanwhile for more information on the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, including how to enter, visit www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk while you can also follow the Awards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foodawards or on twitter at @foodawardsHQ