The bar in Wharf Street, which opened two years ago, has been judged worthy to display the plaque of the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII), following a rigorous assessment.
Its pub grub was also honoured in the institute’s group pub awards in May.
eneral manager Jason Howitt, who has qualified with the BII and sits on the Channel Island committee, said that the industry was keen to promote education for young members of staff and for managers, as well as highlight the quality of service available in the islands.
In England you see these plaques everywhere and they have a pretty high profile as a sign of quality.
We wanted the pub to be recognised for its customer service,’ said Mr Howitt, who came to Jersey three years ago as head chef at the Buddhabar’s predecessor, Belgo.
In order to achieve the required BII standards the Golden Buddhabar was assessed by institute members during several incognito visits and Mr Howitt was put through his paces on matters such as health and safety.
Although the bar will not need to be assessed again, the BII can remove the recognition if it does not maintain standards.
s a former chef, Mr Howitt is proud that the bar has also scooped the Easenmyne Best Pub Food award of all the Island’s pubs.
‘We do a good choice of wholesome snacks and meals – Asian, Chinese, Indian – and the food we do is all fresh, rather than frozen.
We try to come up with new menus to keep people interested.
With the opening of the waterfront restaurants this summer the bar has been up against a lot of new competition, but Mr Howitt said that the summer al fresco scene had not had a significant effect on trade.
The pub’s owners, the Palladium Group, will shortly be opening a completely separate new bar, called the B Bar, just a few doors away from the Buddhabar.
