Awards & reviews of...

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'Pub Industry Awards', Wednesday March 7th 2001:-

"Culinary skill and marketing expertise have combined to put the Jackal at Thurleigh in Bedfordshire back on the map.

"In 17 months, tenant Kevin Hanks and his partner Julia Hook have transformed the village pub into one of the most successful outlets in the tenanted estate run by Bedford brewer Charles Wells, clinching two top awards run by the brewary last year.

"Kevin, who spent many years as head chef in top restaurants and hotels, says: "We knew the market that we wanted would respond to the bistro-style food operation we were proposing.  We like to think that we are still a village pub with seriously good restaurant food."

"Julia brought her talents as a consultant working in horticulture, marketing and design, to the business, with her flair for design helping to change the image of the two-roomed pub, with sofas and easy chairs brought in.  Customers can no relax around a log fire, either before or after their meal."

"A village pub which last year won two coveted awards is now in line for another.

"The Jackal in Thurleigh has beaten thousands of entries nationwide to be shortlisted for the Morning Advertiser's Best Tenanted Pub of the Year Award.

"Partners Julia Hook and Kevin Hanks, who last year won the Charles Wells Retailer of the Year Award and the Sunshine Special Promotion Award, will go to a gala dinner in London on March 7 where the results will be announced.

"The Pair, who are noted for offering restaurant style food with a continental twist, took over the run-down pub 20 months ago and have transformed the interior and gardens."

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"Charles Wells licensees Kevin Hanks (left) and Julia Hooks of the Jackal, Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, took the top honours in a recent competition to achieve the bigest improvement in summer sales of the brewer's beers.

"They are pictured receiving their award from brewary vice-chairman Tom Wells at a hospitality day for all winners at Newmarket racecourse."

"WORD has it that The Jackal's sticky toffee puddings are fast becoming famous across the area.  These homemade puddings are becoming - with just desserts - the signature disk of new chef/proprietor Kevin Hanks.

"It's easy to see why.  A challenge to find a more delicious pudding that also melted in the mouth so easily would be difficult to meet.

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"When we began to hear good reports about the food now that the pub had been taken over, we tried it for ourselves.  We visited on a quiet Tuesday night and enjoyed our drinks before a roaring open fire while choosing from the extensive menu.

"Choosing our starters - let alone our main meals - was far from easy.  After all, faced with goodies including chicken liver pate served with toast and Cumberland sauce, a warm salad of creamy garlic mushrooms or tartlet of aubergine, sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella, which would you choose?

"Sara chose the homemade soup of the day - cream of mushroom (£3.25) and I went for warm goats cheese salad on a granary crouton with roasted capsicum and cherry tomatoes (£3.95).

"Both were first-rate.  The soup was among the best Sara had tasted; the goats cheese salad a delicious combination of flavours that made an ideal start to the meal.  (Just writing about it again is making my mouth water).

"A marinated breast of chicken served with stir-fry vegetables in a Thai green curry sauce with rice (£7.25) was my main course.  Quite simply, it was superb.  The chicken was tender, the vegetables crispy enough to retain their flavours, and the green curry sauce flavoursome without overpowering the whole dish.

"Sara was equally impressed with her main course.  She chose tournedos of beef filled with garlic Boursin served on a duet of sauces with vegetables and sautéed potatoes (£12.50).  Again, the flavours combined beautifully, and the beef was cooked to perfection.

"Other main course options included fish dishes, pasta and risotto dishes and steaks.

"My favourite part of a meal out is nearly always dessert.  Say I've a sweet tooth if you like, but it's the puddings that make my meal.  Desserts (£3.25)at The Jackal change nightly; on the night we visited, those sticky toffee puddings were on the menu.

"Sara couldn't resist - and soon agreed the reputation was justified.  I chose Belgian chocolate towers - a homemade mousse-like combination of plain and milk chocolate.  It too was fantastic.

"We returned to the fireside to eat our deserts, making it a great end to a great meal.  The service was friendly, efficient and faultless - even the chef took time out from the kitchen to ask if we enjoyed our meals.

"Our bill, including two soft drinks each, came to £38.85.  Smokers are asked not to smoke cigars and pipes in the restaurant area.  As for parking, there is a car park behind the pub.  Access to the pub for the disabled is easy - there is only a very small step at the front door."

Neil Coaten

In Our View -  Food: ****  /  Service: *****  /  Parking: ****  /  Value: ****

"Our food writers pay in full for all meals and do not identify themselves when dining.  The maximum star grading is five.  In assessing the grade of food, they are comparing the food served to food of a similar type at similar venues."