THE HAMPSHIRE ARMS in Crondall has beaten 900 other pubs to take the title "best food pub in Britain".
The Greene King brewery-owned pub was shortlisted for The Publican Catering Pub of the Year Awards which are sponsored by The Publican‚ magazine and seen as the grammies of the trade.
At last week's Oscar-style ceremony hosted by comedian, Frank Skinner, in London's Grosvenor House Hotel, landlord and chef Paul Morgan, beat off five other shortlisted contenders to win the accolade.
The competiton judged the pubs for their food, overall efficiency and general appeal and Paul is hoping his win will put The Hampshire Arms firmly on the map.
"I'm absolutely delighted. Hopefully, it just shows people the food is good, well presented, fresh and extremely good value for money, and for my staff, before it was just a little pub, now they can walk into the best food pub in the country."
"It will give us a bit more recognition and get us into the guide books. This shows that pub food isn't what it used to be and that's good for pubs generally."
Paul, who is self-taught, worked in hotels and restaurants before taking on The Hampshire Arms two years ago.
Making his own breads, ice creams, sorbets and petit fours, he says he entered the competition as a bit of a laugh, but is now getting a taste for success.
The pub is also in the final three shortlisted for the Greene King Food Pub of the Year Award, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony in Southampton on April 9.