Welcome to my review of 2012 at the George & Dragon Holmes Chapel. Here are my top ten highlights for 2012...
1. Henry Ashley Barnes
My number one highlight of 2012, is an easy one. My wife gave birth to our firstborn Henry Ashley Barnes in January. Our lives have changed so much since his arrival into the world. He has in 11 months brought us such and joy and laughter, and we would not change it for anything.
It is hard to believe that nearly a year has passed since then, he is already well acquainted with the customers and proves to be somewhat of a cheeky distraction for the staff!
You will more than likely see him in the coming years around the place. I'll be sure to get him working from an early age - teaching him the ropes! Never too young to start collecting glasses.
2. Chile
During November & December of 2011, our wines sales for our Urmeneta and Santa Helena Chilean wines were in the top rankings for all of Robinson's 360 public houses. This won us the opportunity to go on a once in a lifetime trip to some of the best vineyards in Chile. We spent 5 days travelling with Paul Robinson (Director) and Noel Reid (Wine Buyer) around the sights of Chile's famous wine regions. The highlight of the trip was a superb experience at a the Altair winery in the foothills of the Andes where we spent most of the day taking in the breathtaking scenery, and enjoying a glass of wine ... or two!
3. Simon Rimmer's 'Have You Got the Bottle' Chef's Challenge
Every year Robinson's Brewery run a challenge for the for all the chef's in their estate. This year challenge was to create a dish using one of Robinson's beers. Head Chef Billy Doyle (pictured, left with Simon Rimmer) came out on top out of the entire estate!
His entry 'Duo of Venison' was up against 'Beef 55' by Craig Sherrington, from the General Burgoyne in Cumbria. After a tense meal at the Tenants Lunch at Nunsmere Hall, all the licensees voted in favour of Billy's creation. A great success and a testament to all the hard work of him and his kitchen team. The dish is now available on our a la carte menu if you would like to come and try it for yourself!
4. Lenoble Champagne Trip
A second trip won! This time we jointly won with 5 other pubs in the estate, another once in a lifetime trip to the Damery region of champagne where the Lenoble winery and vineyards are situated. Lenoble is a little known champagne producer, however their prestige is great. Their vines grow just metres away from the more well known Crystal vines. We enjoyed a fabulous two days drinking champagne and learning more about the production of this fantastic champagne.
5. Queens Diamond Jubilee Garden Party
It was a bumper year for calendar events, topped off by the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Garden Party. A great success with a BBQ, Pimms Tent, Tug of War competition, Face Painting (for little & some 'big' kids) Yard of Ale Competition and more!
We were incredibly lucky with the weather as the rain held off and the sun came out to play. A good time had by all, so much so that we will be holding another Garden Party on the second bank holiday weekend of May.
6. Christmas Eve Hog Roast & Carols
The annual village tradition of carols at the George & Dragon has become a huge success. This is the second year that we have offered a hog roast and it was so popular this year that a whole pig was sold within a hour!! We are already thinking of ways to make the event even more enjoyable for those who attend.
This year we hope to have a proper bar outside and we are talking about a BBQ with bratwurst or venison burgers alongside the hog roast.
7. Trip Advisor - Certificate of Excellence
We have been active on Trip Advisor for a couple of years now, and it was a great pleasure to open up an unexpected envelope from the the travel website and find this certificate.
It always gives us a great boos,t reading the positive reviews that come through from people leaving genuine comments about how much they have enjoyed themselves.
We hope to continue with this accolade in 2013, so if you been to the George & enjoyed our food, the service has been top notch and an all round good experience then feel free to log on to Trip Advisor and leave us a review!
8. New Year's Eve 2012
We had a superb night to round the year off. A full restaurant of diners enjoying a spectacular five course fine-dining dinner and a full bar of well dressed folk enjoying the live music from the Dave Speakman Band.
To top the night off we had a proposal in the restaurant. One gentleman took the opportunity in front of a full restaurant to ask his partner to marry him, and she said ... "yes!"
We already have bookings for New Year's Eve 2013, so if you are interested in seeing in 2014 in style at the George get in touch soon!
9. Lions Youth Brass Band
A new tradition to Christmas at the George & Dragon. On the last Saturday before Christmas we host the Sandbach Lions Youth Brass Band who play all the carols for us.
If people aren't in the Christmas spirit before this event they are sure to be after it.
Watch out for this G&D tradition in December 2013, a great event which is sure to make you feel 'Christmassy'!
10. Valentine's Day
Here is another opportunity to sample Head Chef Billy Doyle's & his team's cooking at it's very best. Always a delectable menu, using some of the best ingredients around. The Chateaubriand to share (pictured) last year was a huge success and features again this year.
In our conservatory restaurant, twinkling by candle light. It is a great place to treat your special someone to a superb meal.
One final mention to all the staff who work and have worked for us here at the George & Dragon, from the bar & waiting-on staff, chefs & kitchen porters, cleaners, suppliers, gardener, handyman and admin workers. Without whom we would not be where we are today. I appreciate all the hard work that they all put in to making the George & Dragon what it is.
That wraps up my top ten for 2012, it's been a fantastic year. 2013 will have to go some way to beating it!
Nonetheless here at the George we will endeavour to give it a mighty good go.
All the best for 2013.
Before Christmas, Head Chef Billy Doyle won the Simon Rimmer's Chef''s Challenge 2012 with his stunning Duo of Venison. On the back of this, and full of confidence, we decided to enter the Publican's Morning Advertiser National Pub Food Challenge for the Best Pie Category.
