A HEAD chef in Fulham has spoken of his delight after his pub was named the fourth best Gastropub in England.
Stephen Williams, 28, has been running the kitchen at the Harwood Arms, in Walham Grove, since it re-opened and refurbished in September 2008.
The former Ledbury chef has introduced a varied menu to the pub including grilled steak of Berkshire roe deer and wild mallard with black pudding.
And it has now been rated fourth in the Old Speckled Hen Top 50 Gastropubs Awards 2010 voted for by 700 food writers, industry experts and celebrity and top chefs and organised by pub industry magazine the Morning Advertiser.
Mr Williams said: "It is great news for us. We have been working really hard to build up standards and this is a real pat on the back.
"The key for us is keeping lots of game on the menu as you are not likely to see a lot of pheasant walking around London and it is quite a delicacy.
"We like to keep things varied and the fact that we are always really busy is a sign that we are giving people what they want. We also have a great team here who are passionate about what they do and the food they serve.
"It is great to be respected by your peers and customers. Because at the end of the day we just love serving food to people and, if they love eating it, there is no better feeling than that."
The borough's dining success also saw The Sands End, in Stephendale Road, come 19 th in the list and the Anglesea Arms, in Wingate Road, rated 34 th .
Dishes served at The Sands End, by head chef Tim Kensett, include spatchcock partridge, and Anglesea head chef Matt Cranston serves seared Ox heart.
Paul Charity, editor of the Morning Advertiser, said: "The Harwood Arms, The Sands End and Anglesea Arms are all excellent gastropubs and richly deserve their place amongst the top 50.
"They each offer their customers fantastic quality food in the warm atmosphere of the pub and all play an important part in the community."
