The pub equivalent of the Oscars was huge night for Leeds bar group Arc Inspirations.
The Publican Awards celebrates the industry's finest bars and hospitality groups across the UK and unsurprisingly, Leeds scooped plenty of awards.
Leading Leeds-based bar group, Arc Inspirations were the biggest winners of the night, scooping two of the prestigious awards for Best Company and Best Operations Team.
The company own Leeds' Manahatta, BOX and Banyan and were awarded for their efforts"after navigating some of the most challenging times faced in the pub and bar sector’s history."
Presented by TV host Paddy McGuinness, Arc Inspirations was recognised in front of 1,500 industry representatives at the Evolution London arena last night at the renowned awards ceremony.
Image: Arc Inspirations
Commenting on the awards, Arc Inspirations co-founder and CEO Martin Wolstencroft, said: “This truly reflects the towering and relentless work of every single person at Arc Inspirations during these last two years. To be up against the very best bar and pub businesses in the UK and to come out on top is amazing.
"The double win in these national awards caps a memorable 12 months for the group. Since reopening its doors in April 2021, following the enforced closure due to the pandemic, Arc Inspirations has produced a record year in terms of sales and profit. The performance was celebrated by the company with a ski trip to Mirabel for its top 25 team members."
Whilst Leeds remains Arc Inspirations home base, the company is continuing to expand across the north. In autumn last year, the group opened two new flagship sites, in Birmingham and Manchester, and last week secured approval to launch a £2.5m Manahatta bar in Newcastle, its largest development to date.
North Brewing Co, who own multiple Leeds venues were also awarded a Publican Award, taking home the top prize for 'Best Brewing Pub Company' whilst Yorkshire-based Provenance Inns and Hotels were awarded 'Best Food Offer', which awarded for "a successful mainstream food offer across their estate, which average food price for a two course meal (Starter/Dessert and Main) is from £12.50 to £25 per head."
More information about the award winners at the 2022 Publican Awards can be found on their website.
Feature Image- Arc Inspirations
Eats
Sheffield restaurant crowned one of the best local restaurants in Britain for 2026
The Good Food Guide has just released its list of the 100 best local restaurants in Britain – and one in Sheffield has made the list.
The latest edition of the Best 100 Local Restaurants list celebrates the very best venues that are loved by their communities.
A team of reviewers and inspectors scour the country to find the best of the best, and this year a beloved Sheffield restaurant has earned its rightful place back on the list.
The Orange Bird over in Hillsborough is an award-winning South African restaurant that may be small in size, but the flavours coming out of the kitchen are anything but.
Images: The Sheff
The Orange Bird has become one of the city’s biggest word-of-mouth food spots, with locals flocking there for its bold, modern South African-inspired cooking and seriously impressive braai dishes.
And if you’ve ever tried getting a reservation, you’ll already know just how in-demand this place has become.
Run by Anne Horner and Matthew Duggan-Jones, The Orange Bird has built a loyal following thanks to its vibrant menu packed with smoky, fire-cooked flavours, quality local ingredients, and dishes made for sharing around the table.
Images: The Sheff
But don't just take our word for it, here's what the Good Food Guide said: "The Hillsborough district of Sheffield is home to Matthew Duggan-Jones' homage to his South African heritage, in which the braai barbecue is a long-standing social tradition.
"Behind the Orange Bird’s dark-hued facade, there is always the infectious feeling of a party going on – 'it’s consistently delicious, exciting and inviting,' notes one local."
The Orange Bird was placed at number 54, which we think is pretty good going.
You can read the full list by the Good Food Guide here.
Read more: The Hillsborough restaurant redefining bold South African flavours in Sheffield
Featured image - The Sheff
Eats
Leeds restaurant crowned one of the best local restaurants in Britain just three months after opening
Clementine Hall
The Good Food Guide has just released its list of the 100 best local restaurants in Britain – and three Leeds spots have made the list.
The latest edition of the Best 100 Local Restaurants list celebrates the very best venues that are loved by their communities.
A team of reviewers and inspectors scour the country to find the best of the best, and this year three restaurants in Leeds have earned themselves a place on the numbered list.
One in particular has been included just three months after opening.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Smithfield opened in April taking over the old Reliance space on North Street, and it's safe to say they had very big shoes to fill.
But they have done with ease, celebrating Yorkshire produce to a crowd that are overjoyed to see the space being brought back to life.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here's what the Good Food Guide had to say after awarding The Smithfield with 80th place: "Opening in one of the city’s most hallowed restaurant sites was always going to invite comparison. In its day, the Reliance was a much-loved neighbourhood haunt that became the gateway drug for a generation of Leeds foodies, and a return to its burgundy paint job was a statement of intent from its new owners.
"Head chef James Donovan's CV includes Clerkenwell's Rochelle Canteen, and you don't have to do much dusting to see the Fergus and Margot Henderson's nose-to-tail fingerprints: pig's head, ox heart, hogget, and a meritocratic approach to the menu with produce leading the way – occasionally nudged along by a well-timed dollop of gribiche or a slick of bisque."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Elsewhere on the list, it won't come as a surprise to see that the ever-so-brilliant Bavette has been crowned in 16th place. Described as a "convivial neighbourhood bistro in the northerly suburb of Horsforth" that perfectly exudes a "Franco-Yorkshire alliance".
And lastly for Leeds, the ultra-cool Empire Cafe takes spot 31 where "owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton have done a grand job here, rekindling the nostalgia while making the place feel emphatically of the moment, 'high-class yet down-to-earth'."
It's a trio of great wins for Leeds' foodie scene, and you can read the full list here.
Sophie Smith -
5th April 2022 
