Tom Kerridge releases Michelin-starred pub recipe book

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Multiple operator: Tom Kerridge is delighted his first pub cookbook will be out later this year

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has announced he is launching a cookbook with 70 of the best dishes that have ever appeared on the menu at his two Michelin-starred pub, the Hand & Flowers.

The book, which is priced at £40, includes recipes such as roast hog with salt-baked potatoes and apple sauce; slow-cooked duck breast with peas, duck-fat chips and gravy; smoked haddock omelette; salt cod Scotch egg with red pepper sauce and picante chorizo; and chocolate and ale cake with salted caramel and muscovado ice cream.

The Hand & Flowers, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire,​ first opened in 2005 and gained its first Michelin star within a year, achieving its second in 2012.

The Coach​, also in Marlow, was 2016’s highest new entry on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs​ list in 2016 and currently sits in fifth place.

Plethora of pubs

The Hand & Flowers is currently number 12 on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub list after heading it for many years, before being retired from the competition in 2014.

It came out of retirement in 2018, reappearing on the list at number 19 before moving to its current position.

Kerridge opened the Butcher’s Tap in 2017, which is also in the Buckinghamshire village, in a bid to “bring the high street alive again”. The pub is also a traditional butcher’s shop that serves ales alongside a small selection of food.

Collection of dishes

The chef’s post about the new cookbook said: “Guys, today I am delighted to announce that very soon, we will be publishing the Hand & Flowers cookbook.

“This was actually the first cookbook I was asked to write so it has been a long time coming. I’m incredibly excited for this collection of dishes and recipes to be published, finally.

“Couldn’t be prouder of everything this little neighbourhood pub has achieved. Bring on September 2020. More info coming soon.”

Last year, Kerridge announced he was calling for struggling pubs to appear in a BBC Two series about British pubs under threat.

The celebrity chef posted on his Instagram about the new series, calling for failing pubs to get in touch with production company, Bone Soup.