A familiar face to the countless golfers, celebrities and locals who have supped in a St Andrews pub over the last two decades is hoping to pull her best pint yet.
Jigger Inn landlady Antoinette Leask is vying for the title of barperson of the year in the licensed trade’s “Oscars”.
Antoinette, who began working at the famous 19th hole in 1992, is thrilled to have been shortlisted in the UK-wide Publican Awards 2011.
She has been at the pub, owned by the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, for four Open Championships and welcomed many a famous face.
Director of food and beverage Simon Whitley said, “She is an extraordinary person with a fantastic relationship with the patrons and a no-nonsense approach to running the bar famous with many of the resort’s celebrity and VIP guests.
“She is so deserving of the nomination and we will all have our fingers crossed in the hope that she wins.”
Colleague David Scott, club manager at the Duke’s, said, “She is not only the custodian of the Jigger, she brings the place alive with her Irish craic and razor-sharp wit. Many customers who have frequented the Jigger will recall meeting Antoinette and, without doubt, once met, she is never forgotten.”
Antoinette, whose husband Andy works on the St Andrews Links, became landlady after just five years at the Jigger Inn.PassionateShe said, “I treat the Jigger as if it were my home. I care for it, look after it and am passionate about everything that happens in it.
“Many of our customers have become real friends and that means a great deal to me. I love life and I love a good laugh, but I am professional and know exactly where to draw the line. That is essential in this trade.”
Her nomination comes as Antoinette looks forward to retirement. The Alfred Links Dunhill Championship in 2013 will be her last big event behind the Jigger Inn bar.
She added, “I have shared some amazing moments here. We are blessed with an array of wonderful customers our locals, visitors, hotel guests, golfers and celebrities from all walks of life.
“My remaining ambition is to find the next landlord or landlady for the Jigger who will pick up where I leave.”
Antoinette, who is up against five other landladies from Weston-super-Mare, Cardiff, Cheshire and Nottingham, will learn if she has won when the awards are presented at the Grosvenor House in London on April 6.