Brakspear appoints Antony Ely as executive chef in managed pubs
Henley-based brewer and pub operator Brakspear has announced Antony Ely as its first executive chef, to develop food sales across its four managed pubs.
Ely will help develop the operator's food business, menu development, product sourcing, and share best practice across all the sites.
He joins from pub group the Lucky Onion, whose pubs and hotels include the Wheatsheaf in Northleach, Cotswolds. He was also executive chef at Bibury Court hotel in Gloucestershire, and the Clarence hotel in Dublin, and has held roles at London restaurants including Phil Howard's the Square in Mayfair.
Brakspear, which operates over 140 pubs across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and the surrounding southern regions, has four managed pubs, including the Bull on Bell Street in Henley, the Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold, and the Running Horses in Mickleham, Surrey. It recently added Chequers in Marlow to its managed division.
Yesterday the operator also announced that it had bought the Henley Brew House from City Pub Company as part of its tenanted division, and would be searching for a new tenant following an extensive refurbishment.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: "We're delighted that Antony is joining us. He is clearly a gifted and innovative chef with many years of experience in running high quality food operations and will be able to raise skill and creativity within our existing, talented kitchen teams."
