Michelin-star chef and entrepreneur Nigel Haworth is known for his mastery of Lancashire produce and dishes his cooking at the acclaimed Ribble Valley-based restaurant Northcote Manor has earned him a Michelin star, which he's held since 1995.
A committed approach to the local, independent food and drink suppliers in Lancashire is well-documented hes on first name terms with the farmers and food producers in his home county, having worked with them for many years. And now he's branched out with a new pub in Cheshire, at Haughton near Tarporley.
The pub's debut menu has come about as a collaboration with head chef Michael Eminson. Local producers include Haughton Honey, sourced from less than two miles from the new pub and used to cure salmon which is served as a starter with blackened leeks, lemon jelly and brown bread.
Burt's Cheese is another local product of note, made on Claire Burts famous kitchen table in Altrincham. This semi-soft blue sets off the unusual 'eggy bread' starter, which sees a hunk of handsome home-made white bread crowned with a triangle of melting cheese with Heirloom tomatoes, sweetheart cabbage and lemon dressing on the side.
British classics
Elsewhere the menu includes British pub gourmet classics, with attention to detail and imagination a trademark - as it is at other RVI across the North West. On a recent visit we particularly enjoyed takes on chicken such as spiced rillets with scorched baby gem, and a modern caesar-type salad, with tarragon and soft, feta-like Bourne's cheese.
Desserts such as elderflower and buttermilk posset or treacle tart with local raspberries from Willington Fruit Farm remind you that you are in the heart of the British countryside - and one of its' most fertile farming areas at that. A kitchen garden is another local source of ingredients with a small orchard planned for the future.
The drinks menu, meanwhile, follows suit, selling beers from the likes of Macclesfield's Redwillow, or Weetwood Ales, near Tarporley. And if beer's not your thing, there's a wine list by from Innholder and MD of Northcote, Craig Bancroft - so expect the best, in all price brackets.
The setting is country garden meets traditional pub. Lashings of greenery make this a relaxing jaunt in any weather, while open fires and sumptuous but not overbearing grey and green tones, as well as flagstone floors remind you that you're in a pub. Just a really nice one.
The Nags Head, Long Lane, Haughton Moss, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9RN. Tel: 01829 260265, www.facebook.com