Former chef to the Queen enters pub trade
Des Sweeney – who has previously cooked for the Royal Family and at the House of Lords – has acquired the leasehold of the Cross Keys in Epperstone, Nottinghamshire, from Hawthorn Leisure, along with wife Trish.
Des is running the kitchen, while Trish – a former pastry chef and general manager who has worked in hospitality for 15 years – will help run the business.
The couple claimed to have combined their individual skills create a diner’s paradise with a daily changing menu that features fresh, seasonal dishes made from locally-sourced crops.
Des Sweeney plans to change the menu “daily, if not hourly”, depending on what products he receives that morning.
He said: “We are committed to using fresh ingredients, sourced from local suppliers or from our vegetable and herb garden. We also have a chicken coup and have planted fruit trees – apple, plum and cherry.”
Menu offer
Although dishes will vary, examples include starters such as pan-fried pigeon supreme, crisp pancetta and raspberry dressing; game terrine served with red onion chutney and toasted ciabatta and warm-roasted beetroot with grilled goat’s cheese, walnuts and local honey.
Mains include crisp pork belly with braised red cabbage and wholegrain mustard sauce as well as juicy sirloin steaks, sourced from one of the best butchers in the UK, served with hand-cut fat chips and café de Paris butter. There will, of course, also be a traditional Sunday Roast.
Inspired by his days at Buckingham Palace, Des has also designed a luxurious afternoon tea that features treats enjoyed by the Queen. These include finger sandwiches, home-made scones, cakes and macaroons served with Prosecco or champagne.
Complementing the food menu are three real ales sourced from local, national and micro-breweries including Nottingham Brewery. A selection of European fine wines are also available.
Pub refurb
Prior to its reopening, the pub was given a chic, traditional country pub makeover with Chesterfield sofas, open fires and log burners, two bars, a traditional dartboard, an open kitchen, banquet seating, and a beer garden with a decking area and full restaurant service.
The couple are also planning entertainment for the pub that includes Opera and Jazz evenings on the lawn, quiz nights and fundraising events in support of Cancer Research as well as the village church, Holy Cross.
Trish said: “The Cross Keys is a dream come true. We have an amazing team, all from the local area and most of whom have worked with myself and Des for almost a decade.
“We’re a tight-knit community here in Epperstone, so it’s a pleasure to be able to create new jobs in the village but also to provide a calm oasis where people can come to enjoy fresh food, quality drinks and relax with their friends and family.”
