When the country found itself deep in recession back in 2008, and people were worried about money, celebrity chef Tom Kerridge was trying to work out how to lay strong foundations for his young business.
He and his wife Beth came up with what sounded like a ludicrous idea, offering a set lunch menu with a price which felt like it is too good to be true. They decided to offer a one choice lunch menu for a set price. The offer made absolutely no money for the business but filled their pub with noise, laughter and people. “It was incredibly motivating for staff and the team,” says Tom, “and it felt like the guests were having such a great time as it was such value for money.”
Now, in 2022, it feels like those times are here again. “You can’t turn on the TV, look at social media or read a newspaper without the grim news of the cost-of-living crisis,” says Tom. So, he has decided it is time to bring back the ‘too good to be true’ offer at three of his sites.
Launching 5th September at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill in the heart of London at The Corinthia, the one Michelin starred The Coach in Marlow, and the beautiful Bull & Bear in Manchester is Tom’s set lunch £15 menu - £15 fortwo courses (a third course can be enjoyed for an additional£7.50.)
The same menu will run concurrently in all sites, headed up by chefs Nick Beardshaw (Kerridge’s Bar & Grill), Sarah Hayward (The Coach in Marlow) and Connor Black (Bull & Bear.) The dishes will champion classic pub favourites or even school dinners, so expect cottage pie, lasagne and caramelized onion sausage with mash followed by old school desserts of spotted dick, jam roly poly and crumble and custard.
“The aim is to get the excitement and buzz back into restaurants without guests having the fear of spending too much money,” says Tom. “A taste of the good times at a fraction of the price.
The £15 Set Lunch menu will run from 5th September 2022, at The Bull & Bear - availability Thursday to Friday only, booking advisable.
The Bull & Bear– 4 Norfolk Street, Manchester M2 1DW