The secret to a successful pub is making sure customers leave with a smile

By Caroline Lindsay

December 29 2018, 8:00am

Pitcairngreen Inn.

As the closing date for the Menu Awards 2019 approaches, the winners of Pub of the Year 2018 tell Caroline Lindsay what the award means to them. Plus four great gin cocktails for New Year from Eden Mill.

Having just had their son, Finlay, in January this year, it was a big deal for Sam O’Brien and Calum MacLeod of the Pitcairngreen Inn to leave him at two months old for the inaugural Menu Food and Drink Awards. But it was all worth it when we found out they had won the Pub of the Year award.

The Pitcairngreen Inn is an old coaching inn built over 250 years ago in the pretty Perthshire village of Pitcairngreen. “The Inn can only be described as a homely, rustic hidden gem,” says Sam.

“I started working behind the bar and waitressing there in 2013 and my partner Calum has worked at the pub on and off for over 10 years, starting off behind the bar and now as head chef.”

When they got the opportunity to take over the lease of the pub in 2016 as a couple they gladly accepted, and more than two years later they are the busiest they have been and loving every minute of it.

“Winning the award was an incredible and unexpected surprise,” smiles Sam. “What an amazing feeling it was to have our name announced as the winner. For a young couple like us who are so new to the world of running a business it really was such a life-changing time for us, and as a result the pub has never been so busy since winning.”

“We’re very lucky to have such a strong team who have been instrumental in all our successes so far and will continue to be in the future,” she continues, before revealing the secret to running a successful pub.

“I think it’s making sure we do our best to have customers leave with a smile on their face whether they’re just popping in for a drink of having a meal,” she reflects. “Our chefs are very ambitious about using local, fresh ingredients to make the best homemade food they can.

“Our bar is stocked with plenty of choices including real ale, real cider and an extensive range of whisky, gin and rums.

“It’s also important to have fun. A customer can always tell when someone is truly happy at their work and it improves the experience for everyone.”

Sam believes the Menu Awards help put Courier Country on the map and highlight some of the incredible people, producers and businesses in the area.

“It gives locals and tourists alike a reason to travel the region more to seek out the winners and those nominated for the awards,” she continues.

“We have already entered for next year – after the amazing experience we had this year we couldn’t miss out on the chance to do it all again!”

2019’s Menu Awards will be held at the prestigious Old Course Hotel in St Andrews on March 28 and, with closing date for entries on January 11 drawing ever nearer, Sam’s advice is to “Go for it!

Even if you don’t win the whole experience is fantastic, and even just seeing your name shortlisted in The Courier is enough to put a smile on your face.

“I’d like to thank everyone who helped organise 2018’s awards and say well done for doing something to get local businesses on the map.

“It’s amazing what a difference it makes and we are so thankful for being so lucky to have experienced it all.”

There are 11 categories – Coffee Shop of the Year; Street Vendor of the Year; Restaurant of the Year; Chef of the Year; Farm to Fork Awards – Food and Drink; New Talent (Rising Star); Pub of the Year; Best Craft Beer; Best Craft Distiller; Cocktail Bar of the Year; and Best Newcomer. The closing date for entries is January 11. Remember, entry is free.

Eden Mill, who are sponsoring the Cocktail Bar of the Year category, have come up with some tasty gin cocktails perfect for toasting the New Year.

Christmas Gin Manhattan