CATEGORIES 2023

Molinari Hotel Bar Of The Year

Molinari is the Sambucca that Italians love and the brand is looking for a Hotel Bar that you love. A hotel bar that epitomises the best of all things Scottish. Do you know a hotel that offers great service, and activities such as golf, and a bar that allows you to relax – either pre-activity or post activity or are you one? The judges will be looking for a bar with ambience, a good range of drinks, cocktails too, and it goes without saying... service with a smile. Head to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com to enter.

Hospitality Employer Of The Year

Health and wellbeing in hospitality is being embraced by companies the length and breadth of Scotland and this year we are seeking the hospitality operator that does most to ensure its team is looked after and part of that criteria will include its response to looking after the health and wellbeing of its team. Do you work for a business that you feel goes above and beyond, or do you think you are one? Do you offer the best environment for your team to thrive and do you support them? Let us know now.

Sunday Mail Pub Of The Year

Scotland’s leading Sunday newspaper is looking for the best pub in the country. Do you have a welcoming atmosphere? Do your customers come back, and come back again? Get your customers to fill in the entry form when it appears in the Sunday Mail or online at www. scottishbarandpubawards.com and tell us why you think you are eligible for ‘Pub of the Year’.

Pernod Ricard Uk Best Late Night Venue

Late night venues have not had it easy over the last two years, but now its back to business and Pernod Ricard, the brand owners with Havana Club, Beefeater and Chivas in its portfolio, is looking for a late night venue that exemplifies what is good and great about late night socialising. Great drinks, music and service are all important, but the atmosphere too plays its part. Eligible venues must be open after midnight, but whether you are a club, dive bar, cocktail bar or entertainment venue – this award is for you if you offer a first class late night experience. If you know a venue you think deserves the accolade or you are one... get voting.

WILLIAM GRANT & SONS BAR APPRENTICE 2023

The Bar Apprentice is back for its 16th year and William Grant & Sons backing the initiative with brands Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky, Hendrick’s Gin, and Monkey Shoulder. A bespoke programme has been created for this year’s apprentices – an experience you can’t buy! The programme aims to inspire and educate as well as giving practical experience for working behind the bar or on the floor. The 2023 apprentices will be mentored by a team of experts from William Grant & Son’s. The apprentice who embraces the experience and makes the most progress will receive the accolade William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice 2023 and will be presented with the award at the Awards Ceremony. If you would like to be put forward for the experience or you have a member of staff that you would like to put forward email:- susan@mediaworldltd.com

OTHER AWARDS WILL INCLUDE: THE LIFEETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD A SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

CAT THOMSON TALKS TO GAVIN PRICE - THE

LANDLORD MAKING HIS MARK AND RECOGNISED FOR HIS EFFORTS WITH AN M.B.E.

Aberfeldy is a small Scottish town, populated with kind-hearted and compassionate people. One such individual is publican Gavin Price who runs The Fountain Bar, The Schiehallion Hotel and Pub and the Black Watch Inn and Croft Restaurant. He also finds time to manage Elgin City Football Club.

With over two decades of involvement in owning and leasing pubs, they play a central role in his life; even his two Bichon Frisé dogs, (Deacon and Brodie) are named after Edinburgh’s Deacon Brodies, where he used to drink.

He says, “It is something I’ve enjoyed doing and have got better at over the years. I like to think I have got a wee bit of experience.”

His Twitter bio reads; ‘Family, Fitba, and Pubs in that order!’ but football has always been a huge part of his life, he played with North Muirton U18s, Forfar Athletic, Kinnoull Juniors, Meadowbank Thistle and Brechin City. After he graduated from Edinburgh University, with a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Studies he moved to Holland for a two-year spell playing for the Dutch second-tier football team ADO Den Haag. He says, “It was an incredible experience from a professional footballing point of view but also culturally. It is a time I look back fondly on.”

He then moved back to Scotland and played for St Johnstone, and Stirling Albion before playing in Hong Kong for a year and also in England for Altrincham. But it was a move back to Holland that brought him into hospitality.

He explains, “I always had one eye on a career outside football and after going back to play football in Holland on a part-time basis when I was 26, I decided to go into business with two other guys and took over a large Irish pub called O’Casey’s in the Hague. Because I knew the bar well the role as manager fell to me.”

“It was a bit of an eye-opener. I didn’t have any experience at that point, apart from being on the other side of the bar. I learned from my mistakes at first, but soon got to grips with all the systems like stock control, payroll, how to do staff hours, the cash books, which I still use today.” After a few years he returned home. He explains, “I have strong ties to Aberfeldy, my family’s still here and I wanted to settle. I bought The Fountain