A Huddersfield restaurant is celebrating after being listed in the Good Food Guide for the 19th year in a row.
Bradley’s at Fitzwilliam Street has featured in the definitive guide to Britain’s best eateries every year following opening its doors in November, 1993 – starting with the 1994 guide.
Now owner Andrew Bradley and his 30-strong staff are setting their sights on a 20th inclusion next year.
Andrew, 45, said: “I’m chuffed to bits. It’s a credit to everyone who has worked here in the past 19 years. Now we’re aiming for the 20th – but we can’t be complacent. You are only as good as your last meal.”
Huddersfield boasts four entries in the latest Good Food Guide.
Lindley restaurant Eric’s – which has also been crowned Good Food Guide Readers’ Restaurant of the Year for the North East – also features in the latest edition along with Mustard & Punch in Honley and T&Cake in Almondbury, which is run by Examiner food columnist Stephen Jackson.
El Gato Negro at Ripponden and Gimbals at Sowerby Bridge are among Calderdale eateries to be included in the guide, which is sponsored by Waitrose.
Mr Bradley, who learnt his trade at the Michelin-starred Box Tree in Ilkley and worked as a restaurant manager at Clarks Bistro in Bradford before opening Bradley’s, said the key to its Good Food Guide success was to provide a consistent level of service and quality.
“Some of the dishes on the menu when we opened are still there and remain very popular, but we have also tried to be innovative,” he said.
“The biggest change over the 19 years is that customers want to know where the food we serve comes from and whether it is locally-sourced. Twenty years ago, nobody cared.”
Andrew said Bradley’s used local suppliers for everything, including its meats, fish, dairy products and bread.
It has also adapted during the recent downturn, including providing the catering for the 140-seater function room at the YMCA’s Laund Road complex at Salendine Nook.
Bradley’s has a number of events planned for its 20th anniversary, including meals at 1993 prices and tribute nights. It also plans to refurbish the restaurant in January to mark the 20-year milestone.
