AT THE DOUBLE

Doing what they do best, the Freemasons’ Steve Smith and the team have been recognised yet again for the pub’s great British food adding to their impressive line-up of national awards

Being one of the best pubs in the UK, the Freemasons at Wiswell continues to develop in their quest for absolute perfection. Never one to rest on their laurels, Steve Smith and his team recently celebrated two more prestigious awards – the pub was named as the winner of the Best Food Pub Award in the Great British Pub Awards as well as Steve taking Chef of the Year Award.

The awards recognise flair and imagination on the Freemasons’ menu along with the sourcing of first class ingredients and innovation in the kitchen as Steve explains: “This recognition provides me with even more motivation to keep doing what we’re doing, shining that spotlight on Lancashire and pubs in general.

“People enjoy eating fantastic food without the formal atmosphere – we are not an exclusive club we are a great pub that keeps on pushing the boundaries to get better and better. That’s why customers keep coming back for more, and we’ll keep doing what we’re doing.”

A delighted Steve who was named Chef of the Year at the prestigious ceremony in London, added: “I am humbled to win the title as I was competing against some fantastic chefs but it’s all about the team here at the Freemasons.”

“For nine years we have worked tirelessly to put the Freemasons on the gastronomic map and that hard work now sees customers travel from all over the UK to dine with us in Wiswell, which makes it all worthwhile.”

And, diners can also expect to experience Steve’s award-winning Chef of the Year dish on the Freemasons menu!

Awards have come thick and fast for the Freemasons in recent years, with the pub currently the AA Restaurant of the Year for England. It also entered the top 20 in The Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants 2018, finished in the top five in the Top 50 Gastropubs and retained its seven out 10 rating in the recently released Good Food Guide.

With the awards have come an increasing desire to continue the Freemasons’ development and over the next few months diners will see these unfold.

The refurbishment of the kitchens at the Freemasons is one such development as Steve, says: “This will allow us to keep pushing ourselves, getting better and better. Who knows it may also see an opportunity for guests to be more involved. Watch this space!”

Improving the offering further is always on the Freemasons radar, and while still in the early stages guests could see some accommodation developments soon. The vision is to create four rooms next door – and you only have to look at the pub’s beautiful decor to envisage what any new additional rooms will be like!

“These are exciting times at the Freemasons,” says Steve. “We are extremely focused and very aware that we are one of the best pubs in the UK so we need to continue what we are doing.”

“It is a combination of things that has got us to this stage – but the main things that sets us apart here at the Freemasons is our passion for what we do and our totally unique style.”

Freemasons at Wiswell
8 Vicarage Fold
Wiswell, Nr Clitheroe
Lancashire BB7 9DF
01254 822218
www.freemasonsatwiswell.co.uk
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