The Bears Paw in High Legh, Knutsford has a stellar food reputation and has amassed a loyal following over the years for its high quality, locally sourced menu.
This April, Head Chef Jason Craig and his wife, Mel received the news that their beloved pub and restaurant had been nominated for Best Dining Experience at the 2024 English Nationality Hospitality awards.
Having gained a 5* status locally – withholding a number one spot on trip advisor for numerous years – this nomination will have come as no surprise for some. For Jason and Mel however, the email confirmation was completely unexpected.
He said: “When we first saw the email we didn’t think too much of it, we thought at first that it could be a hoax so didn’t want to make too much of a fuss. It was when we received a few calls to congratulate us that we looked into it further. We were flattered and so pleased, we’re not sure who nominated us but we’re so grateful for the recognition.”
The awards aim to highlight the excellence in England’s vibrant hospitality industry, focussing on recognising outstanding businesses and individuals in hotels, restaurants, bars, spas and other sectors of the industry.
Jason and Mel have been at the helm of The Bears Paw for 22 years and run their family business with pride and passion. A trained Chef, Jason’s love for food is evident in the pub’s expertly crafted menus.
He continued: “This industry for us is a way of life, it’s all we’ve ever known, all we’ve ever done, and we love it. We’ve been in the area now for around 30 years and after running a managed house for seven years we took the plunge to run our own pub business.
“Consistency is what keeps us going. Our offer is very good, honest pub food. Our guests know just what to expect, they know our dishes are wholesome and good value which we believe is how we’ve retained so much of our clientele over the last two decades.”
The popular restaurant offers multiple menus, from their A La Carte to Early Bird and Specials which alternate on a weekly basis using in-season produce. In addition to pub classics, Jason and the kitchen team have mastered an array of tasty dishes including fillet beef stroganoff, guinea fowl and green thai curries.
Whether guests are enjoying their dishes in front of the restaurant’s homely log burner fire or their country-style courtyard and beer garden, it’s guaranteed to have been lovingly served, prepared or cooked by a member of the Craig family. Another of the restaurant’s unique qualities is that three generations of the family are employed there, with most of the staff serving a decade or more.
Hoping to scoop the award for Best Dining Experience the Craig family are calling on the support of their guests and community to vote for the Bears Paw by visiting the English Hospitality Awards’ website.