Three businesses in Epping Forest have been successful in the 2016 Guardian Food Awards.

Tony’s Pie & Mash in Waltham Abbey won the Best Pie and Mash Shop category, Theydon Oak in Epping came out on top in the Best Public House category, while Church’s Butchers in Epping was victorious in the Best Butchers category.

Church’s manager believes its history is crucial to its success.

The shop in High Street opened in 1888, and two wars and more than 100 years later, it is still standing.

Manager John Cousins said: “The place is 128 years old and it has been on the same site all these years.

“Everyone knows we’re here and the Church’s name has always been and still is synonymous with quality and that’s why people come back time after time.

“We’re famous for our old Epping sausage, which is made from the same recipe as when we started all those years ago.”

Mr Cousins also thanked his customers for their role in the shop’s ongoing success.

He added: “As the award is voted for by customers, it’s very important for us to win it.

“We’ve got a very loyal fan base and customer base and I think that shows with us winning the award.

“I think everyone knows Church’s is an integral part of our high street, I’d like to think we’re an Epping institution.”

Tony’s Pie & Mash owner Tony Lane also credited his customers after his pie and mash shop’s success.

He said: “Winning means a great deal to us.

“We know all our customers have voted for us and we want to thank them for supporting us.

“Our customers love our food so much because we give the best service we can and we give them the best food possible.”

Mr Lane believes continuity and the use of the best ingredients over the years is behind the recognition of the Market Square shop.

He added: “We’ve been in this shop for 21 years and we’ve kept everything the same for 21 years.

“It’s exactly the same as day one and I hope that’s the reason people enjoy our food.

“My family eat the food and I only want to serve my family the best, so I treat the customers the same.”

And Theydon Oak’s manager Iain Moran credits his staff’s endless quest to make the pub better with its success.

He said: “Winning just shows how much hard work the staff, myself and the chef team have all put into getting recognition.

“We are always improving and striving to be the best pub around.

“We’ve put a brand new chef team together in the last few months and that’s really helped to push us forwards.”

Mr Moran believes the friendly feel to the pub in Coopersale Street means it is somewhere people love to be.

He added: “I think customers like us so much because we treat everyone as one of our friends and like family.

“The service they get is amazing, it’s so personal.

“It’s that family atmosphere that makes the pub so special, alongside our home-cooked food.”