A privately-owned public house, near Newbury, Berkshire, The Great Shefford originates from 1848, and was acquired by restaurateur Joshua Khan in late 2019. The site underwent a full refurbishment, launching just prior to the pandemic; it reopened in late July 2021, and new Head Chef Sam Cary joined in September 2021. Sam was previously at The Bell at Ramsbury, Sudbury House Hotel in Faringdon, The Hand & Flowers, and Whatley Manor in Wiltshire.
The Great Shefford comprises a traditional Pub area (20 seats, including bar stools), the Racing Lounge (up to 30, noting the pub’s Newbury racing environs), the Dining Room (50 seats), Sam’s Room (for private dining up to eight), and a large, semi-covered outdoor terrace, alongside the Lambourne River, with capacity for up to 100, for both dining and drinking.
Further developments and upgrades to The Great Shefford include plans for an outdoor Cigar Lounge, a Farm Shop, and a small Coffee Café.
The Dining Room is where Sam Cary showcases his modern British cooking style. Typical dishes on the à la carte menu include:
Wild trout, fenugreek sauce, cashew, padrón peppers
Foie gras and chicken liver parfait, crème de cassis reduction, brioche
Loin of young fallow deer, spaghetti squash, hen of the wood, plum sauce, and broccoli
Poached hake, clams, braised turnip, lemon thyme and baby leeks
Baked apple Alaska, rum and raisin ice cream
Chocolate délice, miso ice cream, cassis sorbet, cookie shard
Prices for starters are from £6.95, while main courses start from £13.95, and desserts from £6.95. Sunday lunch features a Roast section (Roast venison, Roast chicken breast, Treacle cured roast topside of beef, Lentil loaf roast) – priced à la carte from £13.95 per person. The wine list features 100 bins, with bottles from £19, and 40 by the glass from £4.95.
Sam’s Room offers a seven-course tasting menu (£60, with optional wine pairing), or the full Dining Room menu can also be ordered.
The more informal Pub and Racing Lounge menu features casual items such as Sausage roll with mustard mayo; Fish and chips with minted peas and tartare sauce; Pork and leek sausages with pomme purée; or the House burger with cheese and bacon. Prices range from £6.95-£14.95. A dozen draught lagers and bitters are available, including several local ales, plus a full range of spirits, classic cocktails, wine, and cigars.
During the festive period, The Great Shefford will be open on Christmas Day, featuring a special three course menu (£89.95pp), with welcome drink, canapés and coffee included), live entertainment and a New Year’s Eve four-course menu (£79.95pp). Bookings are essential for both.
Address: Newbury Road, Great Shefford, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 7DS
Reservations: 01488 648 462
Website: www.thegreatshefford.com
The Great Shefford is open 365 days a year
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Hospitality & Catering News: Sam Cary showcases his modern British cooking at The Great Shefford. – 30 November 2021 – Sam Cary showcases his modern British cooking at The Great Shefford.
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