The Hand & Flowers

The Hand & Flowers opened just outside the centre of Marlow in Spring last year with chef patron Tom Kerridge in the kitchen, and wife Beth front of house. It was conceived as somewhere people could go for a drink, drop by for a bite to eat or celebrate a special occasion. Tom’s regularly changing menu combines unpretentious modern British flavours as well as rustic French dishes on a menu which features the best available seasonal ingredients. Lighter options are served at lunchtimes, including a special Sunday roast.

In the short time since opening, Tom and Beth have been thrilled by the awards and nominations received – including winning the ‘fish and chips’ category of Restaurant magazine’s Best Dish competition, being named Buckinghamshire newcomer of the year in the Good Food Guide, and in January 2006 receiving a Michelin star.

Tom Kerridge is chef patron at the Hand & Flowers in Marlow. He was previously head chef at Adlards in Norwich (one Michelin star), and senior sous chef at Monsieur Max in Hampton (which also had one Michelin star). Before then, Tom cooked at London restaurants including Odettes, Rhodes in the Square, Stephen Bull and The Capital.

THE HAND & FLOWERS AWARDED A MICHELIN STAR

The Hand & Flowers pub and dining room, which opened in March 2005 at 126 West Street, Marlow, Bucks, is celebrating being awarded a Michelin star in the 2006 Red Guide. This tops what has already been an amazing year for owners Tom and Beth Kerridge, who have also won the title for Buckinghamshire Newcomer of the Year in the Good Food Guide as well as come first in the fish and chips category of Restaurant magazine's ‘Best Dish' awards. Demand for tables at the restaurant has grown such that Tom and Beth have decided to open seven days a week from late February, closing only on Sunday evenings.

Chef patron Tom is currently serving a late winter menu using the best available ingredients for the season. The menu, which combines unpretentious modern British flavours as well as rustic French dishes includes carpaccio of beef with pear purée, rocket, Parmesan crisps and hazelnut dressing; or potted Dorset crab with brown bread, cucumber and dill chutney amongst the starters, or loin of Suffolk pork with Toulouse sausasge, Savoy cabbage and artichoke and truffle macaroni; fillet of Cornish cod with broccoli purée, bacon, potato and radish; or breast of Telmara Farm duck with celeriac purée, ravioli of foie gras, pickled turnips and apple amongst the mains. Tom's speciality is desserts, and these include glazed nutmeg tart with banana ice cream; or rhubarb and apple crumble with brandy ice cream.

In more of a pub vein, a bar menu is served at lunch times, which includes the award winning Hand & Flowers fish and chips, as well as a regularly changing traditional roast joint with all the trimmings on Sundays.

To accompany the food, Beth, who looks after the front of house, has put together a well annotated wine list of international bins with house choices starting from £15.50/bottle. A selection of real ales are also available.

When they opened at the Hand & Flowers, Tom and Beth were looking to create somewhere they would like to go themselves, and so the interior of the Grade Two listed building offers a friendly, welcoming environment – and with its low beamed ceilings and open fire place, is also a refuge from the winter chill. It is divided into an informal area for drinking and eating, as well as a more sophisticated dining area with elegant candlesticks and glasses.

From late February The Hand & Flowers will be open daily for lunch between 12 noon and 2.30pm, and for dinner Monday to Saturday from 5pm to 10.30pm.

Tom Kerridge
Hand & Flowers
West St
Marlow
Buckinghamshire
SL7 2BP

For reservations and bookings
Tel No: 01628 482277
Web:www.thehandandflowers.co.uk