A SECRET gravy recipe guarded for over a century, and decades of experience in the pub trade helped the landlord of a Llanelli pub win a prestigious award.
The Star Carvery and Grill on Swansea Road recently won the Welsh Hospitality Award for Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year South West. Now in their second year, the awards are a celebration of the success of local professionals and establishments. The winners are a true reflection of high standard and customer service as they are chosen by members of the general public.
The award came as something of a surprise to Landlord Carl Bates, who wasn’t even aware that he had been nominated!
“They sent me an email, but I didn’t receive it, then on the Sunday I saw the event come up on Facebook and the winner was the Star Carvery and Grill – I could’ve hit the ground to be honest,” he said.
Carl has been at The Star since 2013, but his experience in the trade stretches back decades before that. He pulled his first pint in his father Dennis’ pub the Half Moon half a century back when still in school, and subsequently managed a number of popular Llanelli haunts – including Brannigan’s Nightclub.
“My father was the first man to do Sunday dinners and ‘pub grub’ in Llanelli, starting in the late ‘60s. Before that it was all pickled eggs and cockles,” he explained. Food has been a feature of Carl’s businesses ever since, and given that cooking runs in the family it has been a very successful part.
Over the years, Carl gained a reputation for ‘resurrecting’ pubs which were either closed or closing, and the Star Carvery and Grill was no exception. It had been closed for a year when he took it over in 2013, and since then the turnaround has been dramatic, with the restaurant topping Llanelli’s Tripadvisor rankings and being nominated for the Welsh Food awards four years in a row.
He attributes his success at the Star to a mix of good food and live music. Along with a Carvery which is widely recognised as the best in the town, the Star serves a range of traditional pub food at extremely competitive prices. Bands regularly play there, and Sunday night is open mic night.
Customers are also keen to sing the Star’s praises, which is reflected by a five-star rating on Tripadvisor: Customer reviews include:
“After reading other reviews we thought we’ll try the star and booked for Sunday Carvery, It was very nice to see a perfect host in Carl Bates who makes you feel welcome with his experience and knowledge knows how to deliver exceptional service. The Carvery was very good with a choice of three meats all very moist and tasty, there was a good selection of veg all finished off with a good old fashion proper gravy.”
“Literally the best carvery in Wales. I’ve had carvery all over wales and none have lived up to the star. The meat falls apart and all the veg has unique amazing tastes.”
The Star also boasts a team of friendly and professional staff, from Curtis, Kelly (Carl’s daughter) and Evelina in the kitchen to bar staff Adam and Jude, and Carl took the opportunity to thank all of them for their hard work.
When we asked Carl what made a good Sunday dinner the answer was simple – it’s all in the gravy; a secret recipe going back generations.
“My father Dennis was a chef and baker. Everyone talks about ‘Dennis’ famous gravy’ and the recipe dates back to his grandmother – a well-known local cook,” he explained.
“The recipe comes from pre-World War One. It’s all about the way she would prepare the meat, and the spices which go into the water to make up the stock.”
As to his success in a trade which many find increasingly difficult, Carl put that down to ‘a family network over the years’.
“From going into the game as a 14-year-old still at school to now, the one I have to thank for everything is my dad,” he added.
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