Former Soho House director to open Somerset restaurant
Ben Crofton, formerly director of Soho House's Babington House and Soho Farmhouse, is opening a restaurant, bakery and wine shop in Somerton, Somerset this autumn.
Crofton is set to open 28 Market Place, Market Bakery and Somerton Wines, with his wife Vanessa in a group of Grade 2*-listed buildings which are currently undergoing a major restoration and renovation. It will be the pair's first solo venture.
Local entrepreneur, Adam Norris of Glastonbury-based Horatio Investments, is funding the project.
The 80-cover restaurant will serve an Italian-inspired menu of homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas and Sunday lunch. Market Bakery next door will supply the restaurant with pasta and bread as well as a range of pastries, cakes and cookies and a gelateria. Somerton Wines will offer 150 wines not on the restaurant list.
Ben also previously worked as general manager of Phil Howard's two-Michelin-starred the Square in London, general manager of Thomas Keller's French Laundry in California, and as a restaurant director with Gordon Ramsay Holdings.
Vanessa worked for Nancy Silverton at Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles before joining Gordon Ramsay Holdings.
Former Gordon Ramsay restaurant director joins Philip Howard's the Square >>