Pignut & The Hare shortlisted at the Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards After a Transformative Year

Pignut & The Hare in Scawton is celebrating a proud moment after being shortlisted for two major awards at the Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards: the Best Fine Dining Award and the Sustainable Tourism Award. 

Although the restaurant did not take home the trophies this year, owners Tom and Laurissa Heywood say being shortlisted so soon after reopening is an achievement in itself.

Tom said: “To be shortlisted for two awards within months of reopening is something we are incredibly proud of.

This was a huge year of change for us – new premises, new challenges, new ideas. For the judges to recognise that journey means the world to our whole team.”

Laurissa added: “Winning is wonderful, but being shortlisted in two categories alongside established names is its own achievement. It tells us that we are on the right path and that guests and industry leaders see what we put into Pignut & The Hare.”

The recognition comes only months after the pair relocated their acclaimed Pignut restaurant from Helmsley to the historic Hare Inn site.

They reopened as Pignut & The Hare in August, which has proved a huge success.

Offering hyper-local and foraged tasting menus, paired with fine wines, this is one of the most sustainable fine dining restaurants Yorkshire has to offer.

The restaurant works closely with a network of small-scale farmers, growers and community projects, including Helmsley Walled Garden, Castle Howard and Otterburn Farm, with a focus on biodiversity and low-impact farming.

The team’s social value strategy includes community partnerships, ongoing donations, and providing a platform for local food systems to thrive.

Recycled materials are embedded throughout, including a carpet made from recycled bottle tops. The garden has been planted with bee supporting species, and compost from the original Pignut was incorporated into the soil.

It’s no wonder that Pignut and The Hare, much like the original Pignut site, is yet again being praised for its commitment to sustainability.

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Signature touches such as the visible meat fridge, hand forged skewers, and Polaroid photographs for guests have quickly become memorable parts of the restaurant’s distinctive identity.

These thoughtful details, combined with a deeply seasonal and flexible tasting menu, contributed to their shortlist for Best Fine Dining.

This autumn also saw Pignut & The Hare awarded the AA Five Star Restaurant with Rooms Gold Award, alongside the reconfirmation of their Three AA Rosettes and the AA Breakfast Award.

The AA inspector praised the restaurant’s hospitality, creativity, seasonal cooking, and thoughtful guest experience.

Larissa said, “We could not have achieved any of this without our team, our growers, our suppliers, and our guests. This shortlist belongs to all of them. It gives us energy and optimism for what is to come.”

Find out more, and save on a luxurious foodie getaway to Pignut & The Hare.

Hungry for more? Take a look at the best restaurants in Helmsley for more mouth-watering recommendations.