Dhruv Baker and Adam Pomaro take over Jolly Gardeners pub
Former Masterchef winner Dhruv Baker and his catering company business partner Adam Pomaro have teamed up to run a South London pub.
The pair, who founded their event catering business Earlsfield Kitchen in 2013, has taken over the Jolly Gardeners, in Earlsfield, which is owned by pubco Enterprise Inns.
They bought a six-year lease from the pub's previous landlord, but it is expected to be automatically renewed for a further 20 years, when it expires. Baker, Pomaro and two private investors financed the venture and remain the only shareholders in the business.
The sales mix is expected to be wet led, but Pomaro told The Caterer that they aim to drive drinks trade through the food offer.
A new deal with Heineken has led to a revamped draught beers, ales and ciders range while Bibendum has produced the wine list.
Yogesh Pawar, who previously worked at Atul Kochhar's Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant Benares, will head up the kitchen, serving an a la carte menu, daily specials and Sunday roasts.
Trading has already begun but a formal launch is expected in the coming weeks following a revamp of the kitchen and the introduction of a new till system.
Baker took home the Masterchef title in 2010 and this year saw the publication of his first cookbook, called Spice. Pomaro is the son of an Italian restaurateur and founded Let Me Entertain You, a London cocktail bar services business, in 2000.