Charles Campion judges British Roast Dinner Week

Renowned food critic, Charles Campion has joined the British Roast Dinner Week judging panel, to help decide which pub will win the title of ‘Best British Roast Dinner’ in 2015.

Sponsored by KNORR® Gravy and supported by COLMAN’S® mustard, the competition has closed with a record number of entries this year, with 447 pubs looking to get their hands on £10k of PR and the all important title.

Charles Campion said: “It is time to give the roast dinner the credit it deserves. In a world where a lot of fuss is made about exotic cuisines, Britain’s classic meal can sometimes get overlooked.

“This year several hundred pubs have entered their roast dinners, hoping to emulate the 2014 winner the Truscott Arms. Helping to choose Britain’s Best Roast Dinner is an honour, let's help Britain celebrate its favourite dish.”

Chris Brown, channel trade marketing manager at Unilever Food Solutions, said: “With more entries to the competition than ever before, and the help of Charles Campion, we’re excited at the prospect of finding a roast dinner winner for the nation to be proud of.”

Winning the competition for ‘Best British Roast Dinner’ has brought in the bookings for previous entrants. The Kyloe, in Edinburgh, tripled the volume of roast dinners it sold after its 2013 win.

Last year’s winner, the Truscott Arms, in Maida Vale, London, also experienced a surge in demand, generating four-week-long waiting lists. Owner Andrew Fishwick, had to take on eight members of extra staff to cope. He said: “We received so much press coverage in national newspapers that it really put our pub on the map. People come from all over London and beyond to eat here now, it’s not just somewhere for locals.”

The competition is part of British Roast Dinner Week, which runs from September 28 to October 4 2015 and celebrates the nation’s favourite pub meal . With 40% of consumers claiming they want to see roast dinners on the menu every day , it encourages pubs to serve more roasts to help boost sales.

The shortlist will be announced at the beginning of British Roast Dinner Week, on September 28. Following mystery diner visits, the competition will reach its climax on October 4 2015, when the winner will be announced.

Visit www.britishroastdinnerweek.co.uk to find out more about the competition and to download Unilever Food Solutions’ Pub Roasts How to Guide.