Riverside Inn pub, Aymestrey, wins another prestigious award

The Riverside Inn in Aymestrey, north of Leominster, has been named Slow Food England Restaurant of the Year award.

Slow Food believes that through the food we eat, we can collectively influence how it is cultivated, produced and distributed and change the world as a result.

OTHER NEWS:

• Herefordshire fish and chip shop named one of UK's best – again
• Deaf and blind dog pulled from river Wye back at home with relieved family
• 'Awful job' of Hereford's new £1m cycle contraflow slammed

Since becoming chef patron at The Riverside Inn, Andy Link has made it his mission to source the best local produce from a host of growers and producers, with traceability, sustainability and seasonality a key consideration.

One of his most exciting finds is Mortimer Forest venison, which has now been added to the Slow Food Movement's Ark of Taste.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest Leominster news? It's easy, just sign up for our weekly email newsletter here and all the important stories that matter to you will be delivered straight to your inbox.

Mr Link, as a Slow Food Alliance chef for Ludlow and The Marches, was instrumental in shining a spotlight on this unique product.

He also cultivates a flourishing kitchen garden and an orchard stocked with heritage fruit trees at the pub. He uses his skill as a forager to introduce an interesting twist to many of his dishes.

OTHER NEWS:

• Herefordshire animal rescue centre moves after year of 'knocked downs'
• Hereford attacker's medication 'made him feel like a zombie'
• Boy, 6, who fell into frozen lake remains in critical condition

Mr Link said: "Winning this award means so much to us all. It's a true endorsement of all the hard work that the team puts into making the food and welcome at The Riverside something special.

"We have had to battle our way through many setbacks in recent times – the flooding of the pub, lockdown, the cost-of-living crisis, but awards like this keep us going, and make everything worthwhile."

Mr Link can now add the latest award to his cache of accolades. These include Great British Pub Awards Sustainable Pub 2022, Slow Food UK Best Restaurant 2021 and Visit England Best Tourism Pub.