Having clinched the prestigious accolade from The Sunday Times as a Best Place to Work earlier this year, our recipe for success is a simple mix: a dash of passion for developing our people, a splash of dedication to delivering excellence, and a whole lot of heart. One of the key ingredients to our success? Our amazing bar teams of course! Over the past few months, we’ve been shaking things up at our Head Office with the launch of our very first Bar Academy – aptly named “Woody’s Bar.”

Not only did this provide a fantastic opportunity for our bartending stars to fine-tune their craft, but it also gave them the chance to earn formal qualifications, as our Head Office is now an official venue for the prestigious Wine & Education Trust (WSET) courses, thanks to our partnership with Ellis Wines. Talk about raising the bar!

Our talented bartenders stirred, mixed, and poured their hearts out, putting their skills to the ultimate test during a final assessment. And the cherry on top? The winning drinks are now featured on our brand-new Autumn drinks menu – ready for you to sip and savour!

So, why not head over to your local Heartwood Inn and raise a glass to our bartenders? Without further ado, here’s the winning line-up that’s worth toasting to:

Winning Cocktail: Rose Kissed Sour
Bartender: Leo Hernandez
Site: The March Hare, Guildford

Winning Cocktail: Amalfi Martini
Bartender: Ellie Mahmut
Site: The Jobbers Rest, Upminster

Winning Cocktail: Pineapple & Ginger Margarita
Bartender: Eddie Young
Site: The Jolly Farmer, Chalfont St Peter