Chef & Brewer

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Rose and Crown, a Chef & Brewer pub, Kew, London
The Bear Inn, a Chef & Brewer pub, Berkswell

The Chef & Brewer collection is a collection of over 150 licensed countryside pub restaurants in the United Kingdom, owned by Greene King. They provide pub food, specials and cask ales.

History

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Grand Metropolitan, which later formed part of Diageo, sold the estate that became Chef & Brewer pubs to Scottish & Newcastle in 1993 in a part cash, part debentures deal of £708 million.[1] In 2003, Scottish & Newcastle auctioned off the Chef & Brewer chain, which was acquired by the Spirit Group. In 2005 the Spirit Group was acquired by Punch Taverns.[2] In 2011 the Chef & Brewer chain became part of Spirit Pub Company plc following its demerger from Punch Taverns. The Spirit Pub Company plc was acquired by Greene King in June 2015.[3]

The pubs have featured in Tesco Clubcard promotions. The pubs have featured in Tesco Clubcard promotions and are part of the Blue Light Card scheme for emergency services personnel, the NHS, the UK teaching community, social care sector workers and the armed forces .[4]

Brand ethos

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Chef & Brewer pubs can be characterised by their cosy, welcoming ambience and close association with nature. Although some  Chef & Brewer locations may not be strictly rural, they aim to capture the essence of a traditional local country pub through their décor, atmosphere, and menu, with an emphasis on togetherness and celebrating life’s little moment. Many locations aim to maintain biodiverse beer gardens with pollen-rich plants and wildlife-friendly features, such as bee hotels and hedgehog access points.

A taste of the countryside

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This correlation with nature is also reflected in the brand’s menus, which often feature specials inspired by the shifting seasons. Although many of the popular menu options may be described as “classic, hearty pub food” (pies, Sunday roasts , fish and chips, burgers, etc.), Chef & Brewer prioritise freshness and quality. They also offer a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a “No-Gluten Containing” menu and a “Young Guests” menu.

Country pub hotels

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Some Chef & Brewer locations offer accommodation, functioning as hotels. Many of these hotels are strategically located in scenic areas and offer a range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi and tea and coffee-making facilities.

Dog-friendly pubs

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Most Chef & Brewer pubs are dog-friendly or feature designated dog-friendly areas with complimentary water and treats. However, the decision to allow dogs on the premises is often at the manager’s discretion. According to the Chef & Brewer website, it is advisable to ring ahead of booking to make sure.

Collaboration with AllTrails

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Chef & Brewer works in partnership with AllTrails, to promote outdoor exploration, as many locations are situated along or near local walking trails. The AllTrails app allows users to search for trails and filter them by location, length, difficulty, dog-friendliness and accessibility. It also helps users strategically plan their walks to coincide with a trip to a nearby Chef & Brewer pub.

Partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust

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In 2024, Chef & Brewer launched a limited edition beer, Golden Nectar Ale, donating 20p from every pint sold to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to support vital pollinators and their habitats. As part of this campaign, Chef & Brewer released a blog, stating they had adopted the bumblebee as their mascot, representing their ongoing commitment to bee conservation.

Collaboration with Frances Tophill

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To celebrate the launch of Golden Nectar Ale, Chef & Brewer teamed up with horticulturist, author, and television presenter Frances Tophill in an effort to improve their pub gardens and raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and biodiversity. This collaboration involved the development of a list of ‘garden principles’, serving as guidance for designing and maintaining attractive, low-maintenance gardens. These principles included various planting tips, maintenance advice and activity suggestions for families and communities. Chef & Brewer also strive to apply these principles to their pub beer gardens.  

Chef & Brewer often offers discounts and giveaways to users who complete trails and provide evidence via the app.

Locations

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Some of the pubs operated by Chef & Brewer are historic pub/inn locations:

References

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  1. ^ Helen Kay. "Bottom's up for Grand Met with shift in focus to potent brands". The Independent. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  2. ^ "120, pp. 2-19". Brewery History. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  3. ^ "Popped corks as Greene King-Spirit pub partnership gets green light | City A.M". City A.M. 2015-06-23. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  4. ^ "Clubcard". Tesco.com. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  5. ^ "De Trafford Arms Chef & Brewer - Alderley Edge Cheshire". Pub-explorer.com. 1910-02-19. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  6. ^ "Griffin | Bold Heath".
  7. ^ "Ashfield District Council: Annesley and Ravenshead". Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
  8. ^ "Travellers Rest in Nottingham, Chef & Brewer". Chefandbrewer.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  9. ^ "Ferry Inn in Wilford, Nottingham, Chef & Brewer". Chefandbrewer.com. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  10. ^ "Food review of Nag's Head, Rugeley Road, Burntwood WS7 9HA « Express & Star". Archived from the original on 2011-03-17. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  11. ^ "Gatwick Manor in Lowfield Heath, Crawley, Chef & Brewer". Chefandbrewer.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
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