Ye Old Sun Inn Wins Another Top Award At Pub 'Oscars'

Ye Old Sun Inn in Colton, near Tadcaster, has been crowned Best Freehouse in the country at the Great British Pub Awards 2010, held in London. 
Already multi-award winners, licensees Ashley and Kelly McCarthy saw off stiff competition from freehouses across the country to take the top title. Collecting their trophy, they said: "Winning this Award is a fantastic endorsement of all the work we've put into the pub, especially over the last year. We're thrilled to bits, and grateful for the support of our staff and customers who have helped us achieve this."
Ashley and Kelly had leased Ye Old Sun for five years until buying the freehold just over a year ago. Since then, they've been busily finding new ways to grow the business, which include a new marquee in the pub's garden, regular farmers' markets and show cooking days.  Plans for expansion in 2011 will see an extension for a new bar, extra space in the kitchen and the creation of a new village shop and deli attached to the pub.

Ashley and Kelly McCarthy scoop prize at Beer Group dinner

Proud of Pubs Week 2010 gets underway on Monday, but we started the celebrations early by presenting an award to a pair of outstanding licensees.

Publican editor Caroline Nodder and Nigel Evans MP presented Ashley and Kelly McCarthy of Ye Old Sun Inn, in Colton, North Yorkshire, with this year's Proud of Pubs Award for their remarkable efforts in turning a once run down pub into an award-winning outlet.

The McCarthy's received the award at the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group's annual dinner in London on the 14th July 2010.

Ashley and Kelly McCarthy scoop Publicans Of The Year title

A couple from North Yorkshire have won the title of Publicans Of The Year at the industry’s Oscar ceremony. Ashley and Kelly McCarthy, who own Ye Old Sun Inn in Colton and The White Swan in Wighill, picked up the accolade at the 2010 Publican Awards. Judges commended the couple for “demonstrating a passion for the pub trade and a willingness to invest in all aspects of the business”. Ashley said: “While it was Kelly and I who collected the award, I really feel all our staff should have been up on that stage with us. The whole team has won this accolade. “We’ve worked hard to shift perceptions of Ye Old Sun from being a food-led pub to being a drinking venue as well – without losing our reputation for excellent quality, wholesome food. This award confirms that we’ve achieved that, so we’re even more pleased.”

The Publican Food & Drink Awards 2009

Held at the prestigious on Intercontinental Hotel on London's Park Lane. We were lucky enough to be short listed for two awards, Front of house Team of the Year and Local Food Pub of the Year.
Ashley , Kelly and all the full time team were there to hear that we were victorious in both categories. 'We were so delighted to be there on the night, never mind walking away with both awards, a testament to the shear hard work of all the team at the Sun'.

White Rose Awards 2009 'Yorkshire Pub of the Year'

'White Rose award winners are proof of the excellence that exists in our region. Their commitment to raising standards of service and levels of expectation has resulted in Yorkshire's continuing and raising success as a destination' 

Barbara Woroncow OBE, chair of judges

Yorkshire Life 'Traditional Pub of the Year' 2009

'Winning this award is a fantastic achievement for all the team at the Sun, proving our commitment for raising standards at every available opportunity, well done team...this is for all of us!'

Ashley & Kelly McCarthy on the award night

"Winners : Chef of the Year 2008"

Ashley was awarded the national title of 'Chef of the Year 2008' at the Publican Food and Drink Awards 2008 held on Tuesday evening (November 11) at Battersea Evolution hosted by comedian Michael McIntyre. The event culminated in 20 outstanding pubs, pub companies, licensees and staff being rewarded for their remarkable achievements in pub retailing. 'Receiving this award is not only for myself, but is recognition of the fantastic team that we have with us here at the Sun Inn and a great honour to accept it'.

"Winners : Pub Food Pub of the Year 2008"

We were nominated for "Pub Food Pub of the Year 2008" at the Publican Awards. Results were awarded at a ceremony held at the Gosvenor Hotel in London on March 18th 2008, and we were delighted to come away as winners. This is awarded to "a pub that offers outstanding, fresh, creative and inspirational food".

"Winners : Excelle Pub of the Year 2008"

We were elated to be voted Excelle pub of the Year for a third time....thank you all who voted once more!

The Publican Awards 2009- Finalist in the BII Licensee of the Year Award.

March 2009- Gained Cask Marque accreditation for the service of excellance in real quality ales.

Regional winners in the 'Great British Pub Awards 2008' at the Hilton, Park Lane Hotel on 18th September.

Finalist for 'Best Pub Award' in the White Rose Awards for Yorkshire, results will be announced on the 25th September.

Finalist in 3 categories of the 'Publican Food Awards 2008' at the Battersea Evolution on the 11th November (Best Chef (winner), Best Gastropub, Best Back of House Team)

''A dedication to good, local ingredients is reflected in the menu- rabbit from the Ledston Estate finds itself in a pie with thyme, ginger and wild mushrooms......''   Review and Recommendation by Squaremeal.co.uk in February 2008

''Great establishment run by enterprising, hard working landlords who have succeeded in making their pub the hub of the community''
April 2008, Community Pub Award by Alistair Sawday's Guide of Special Places

Michelin Red Guide Recommended from 2008

''Dedicated to good local ingredients, which are created in the Yorkshire centred menu........''

Placed 'The Big Eat' Number 1 in the Top Deli-Restaurants by The Times, 'The Knowledge' Magazine January 26th '08.

'Pub of the Year 2006'... Excelle Magazine

We were awarded this title for the second year running, with a massive 922 votes we were delighted. With a special thanks to all those who were kind enough to vote for us

'Tradition with a Twist'.....This is by no means your average pub fare......it places Ye Old Sun right at the heart of the local community.....

Simon Jenkins, Yorkshire Evening Post, Saturday 19th November 2005.

Yorkshire Life 'Dining Pub of the Year'..... we were short- listed for the Dining Pub of the Year 2005 by the Yorkshire Life Magazine, selected from the whole of the Yorkshire region, we were awarded a 'Highly Commended' award.

Pub of the Year 2005.......

We were awarded the 'Pub of the Year' by the Excelle Magazine in June 2005. This was much to our delight as it was the readers who actually voted for the establishment of their choice. Thanks again to all who voted!

'Haven of Excellance'..............''A purveyor of good food in the past, it's had it's up's and downs, but now a haven of excellence thanks to the arrival and the commendable efforts of the new chef-patron, Ashley McCarthy and his wife Kelly."

Margaret Lilly, Yorkshire Ridings Magazine April 2005.

'Traditionally Tasty'................... "Homemade sunflower seed bread, baked in a traditional flowerpot, gave us a foretaste of the quality and freshness of the food on offer as we made our selections............"

Rachel Hicks and Clare Steele- King, Excelle magazine April 2005