The Solihull gastropub named the best in the country at the England Food Awards 2023

A pub in Solihull has won a prestigious national award at the England Food Awards 2023.

The Malt Shovel in Barston has been crowned the regional and national gastropub of the year at the awards ceremony on October 9.

Located in the idylic Solihull countryside, the pub, which has two AA Rosette awards, is also the best rated Solihull pub with a beer garden on Google. The venue can seat up to 45 guests withr the British and Mediterranean cuisine prepared by head chef Nick Westwood.

After winning the prestigious award, the owner of the independent country pub Eric Cahill, told the Solihull Observer that he was delighted to win.

He said: “The pub has been going some years, and we’re so proud of the award. We would like to say a huge thank you to all our dedicated members of staff and not forgetting our loyal regulars and customers.”

A post on the pub’s Instagram page read: “We have only gone and won! We didn’t just win Gastro Pub of the year, we also won North, South, East & West Gastro Pub of the year! We can’t believe it!! Thank you everyone for all your support.”

The venue currently has a 4.6 rating from 614 reviews. One reviewer wrote: “Great beer garden for food and drinks. Friendly and helpful staff.”

Another read: “Superb food, great service, nice ambience. All food was made from beautiful fresh ingredients, well seasoned (but not too salty), perfectly cooked and well flavoured.”

A spokesperson for the Food Awards England 2023 said: “The winners should be proud of their achievement, as they represent the very best of England’s food scene, and are a true reflection of the quality and diversity of the industry. We would like to say a huge thank you to all our dedicated members of staff and not forgetting our loyal regulars and customers.”