Introducing The Nag’s Head at Haughton

Introducing The Nag’s Head at Haughton, near Tarporley… Cheshire’s new premium pub dining experience with menus created by highly renowned chef/celebrity chef - Nigel Haworth

The acclaimed Lancashire-based premium food pub group, Ribble Valley Inns, are bringing their signature brand of fine, local and seasonal ingredients, to the heart of Cheshire.

The Nag’s Head, in the Cheshire hamlet of Haughton Moss has been standing since 1680, so it’s seen some history in its time… Now, led by Michelin star chef Nigel Haworth, and Ribble Valley Inns, it’s about to be transformed into the county’s finest food pub.

The Ribble Valley Inn group is small but perfectly formed, with 12 years experience, an enviable reputation and impressive string of plaudits to their name (all 4 of their sites hold an AA Rosette and place in the Michelin Pub Guide). Industry heavyweights, Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft of the renowned fine dining restaurant Northcote in Lancashire, are the group’s founders. Their philosophy is simply to bring excellent food and drink, using the very best quality, seasonal and local food, where ever possible, in a relaxed setting.

The Nag’s Head is the group’s first site in Cheshire. The choice of location reflects their passion for historic, unique and beautiful settings, and readily available, high quality produce.

The Grade II listed building started life in the 17th Century as a local smithy and inn, and is undergoing a loving restoration by the team, which has so far exposed some beautiful, previously hidden features including Victorian tiled floors and original 17th century beams.

As quintessentially English as a pub can be, The Nag’s Head will represent everything that a fine Cheshire pub should. The bowling green, kitchen garden, and large al fresco dining space (seating up to 100 covers) will be the perfect place to celebrate the great British summer, whilst the 4 crackling open log fires inside make it the ideal winter dining and drinking destination too. From cocktails on the lawn to hearty meals by the fire, The Nag’s Head will truly be a gastro haven for all seasons.

The pub will service 250 covers in total including the outdoor dining. Inside the rooms will be beautifully redesigned in partnership with the award-winning, Chester-based designers Lister Carter, to make the most of the history, setting and space.

Parking will be plentiful, with not even the horses forgotten - the team are planning a neat set of horse bays where equestrian diners can park up (it is the Nag’s Head after all!).

However, the real heart of the pub will be the kitchen.

North West food hero Nigel Haworth himself has worked with Head Chef Michael Carter to create a menu that celebrates the local larder, the seasons, and excellent, artisan ingredients. These aren’t 21st century buzzwords to this team, Nigel has been doing this for 30 years and his commitment and passion for food and the North West is paramount to his success, and held in high regard within the industry. Nigel and Michael have met and carefully selected the suppliers for The Nag’s Head, many of which are Cheshire based.

Ingredients are then expertly handled to create magnificent, traditional dishes with the contemporary influences and creativity you’d expect from a team under Nigel’s steer.

The investment and celebration of Cheshire doesn’t end with the food.
The Nag’s Head will create more than 35 full and part time jobs in the region; the redevelopment has seen large-scale spend with local business, and CEO of Ribble Valley Inns (and local resident) Wayne Chapman has commissioned a local artist to capture the surroundings for a unique exhibition in the restaurant.

A fine and premium pub experience of course wouldn’t be complete without an excellent drinks offer. MD to the group Craig Bancroft is one of the UK’s leading wine experts and a Master Inn Holder. He is developing a very special list alongside Nick Adams (Master of Wines) and Adam Pawloksi (Northcote’s sommelier). Of course a cracking selection of local cask ales will share centre stage

Exceptional service and operations will be headed up by General Manager Darren Gallagher. His team will be providing a warm welcome to locals, destination diners, tourists, families, and even dogs!

Founder and Executive Chef for Ribble Valley Inns, Nigel Haworth commented:
“I can’t wait to open The Nag’s Head in Cheshire. It’s a county that’s got it all… excellent produce, stunning scenery, and buildings steeped in fascinating history. These are all requirements for our vision at Ribble Valley Inns – we’re about delivering the very best, premium food and drink and creating the perfect, original and relaxed environment to enjoy that in. Each site is completely unique, celebrating the character, history and locality, and The Nag’s Head at Haughton will have its own identity that we’re very much looking forward to revealing.”

The Nag’s Head will open 9th June 2014.
The pub will be open Monday – Saturday 12noon – 11pm, and Sunday 12noon – 10pm. Food will be served all day from lunch, through to ‘Afternoon Bites’ then dinner.

---

Posted: Monday 19th May 2014
ID: 8995 - 1153