Bonwick senior will remain chef-patron of the Hurley venue, working with his son to “evolve” their classical cuisine.
The Bonwick family has run a string of highly rated pubs and restaurants in Berkshire during the past decade or two, including the Crown, which held a Michelin star and was featured on sister publication Restaurant’s list of the top 100 places to eat in the UK.
The family launched the Dew Drop Inn earlier this year having sold the Crown to the Beehive chef Dominic Chapman in 2022.
Noted soloist
Bonwick is a noted soloist – a chef that works in the kitchen unaided – but has worked alongside Charlie at both the Crown at Burchetts Green and during his brief tenure at the the Princess of Shoreditch in London.
Charlie has undertaken a number of stages at Michelin-starred restaurants and also as a private chef.
“It’s a heavy responsibility taking over the day-to-day running of the kitchen here, what with my father’s reputation and all. He’s always been a nightmare to work for over the years, but man do you learn from him,” Charlie says on his promotion.
Safe and well
“His culinary philosophy and skill is very deep I am confident with my taste, my hand, and the gesture and movement within my cooking that all will be safe and well.”
Simon added: “Charlie is a confident, quiet chef. He has a lot that he wishes to do with our beautiful cuisine. I trust him completely. I will spend time cleaning the pub more and practising our craft.”
