Shepherd Neame, the Kent-based brewer and pub operator, has recruited a development chef to help its tenanted pubs ramp up their food offers, writes Lesley Foottit.
The new position has been filled by Carol Haime, licensee and chef of Enterprise Inns lease the Sandrock in Farnham, Surrey.
Haime will work with tenants looking to add a successful menu to their operation as well as those who want to develop their existing food offer to attract new customers. They will have access to products from the company’s food suppliers as well as the StarChef recipe costing and menu planning software.
“Food is now very much a core part of British pub culture,” she said. “Every pub is unique so I’ll help each licensee I work with to develop a bespoke menu that fits both their ambitions for the business and the expectations of their customers. Some will be ready to appoint a chef and offer a full menu, while others may just want to initially test the water with a few tasty bar snacks.”
Shepherd Neame won the award for Best Food Offer at a managed pub business in the Publican Awards 2012.
Tenanted trade director George Barnes said: “We recognise that food is essential to the success of the pub trade. We have a very diverse range of tenanted businesses and we wanted to give them access to the same expertise that our managed businesses enjoy.
“Carol’s appointment as development chef gives those licensees who would like more support for their food offer a direct line into our head office expertise.”
Haime, who starts her post next week, will continue running the Sandrock.
