Good Pub Guide 2021 names Northamptonshire's dining pub of the year

A pub in one of the county's most historic villages has been named as Northamptonshire's Dining Pub of the Year in the newly published Good Pub Guide 2021.

The Falcon Inn at Fotheringhay has been praised in the book for its 'excellent modern food from a seasonal menu' that 'makes good use of produce from local estates'.

Taken on just a year ago, partners landlady Madison Keys and chef Zak Perrin have been using expertise they gained working together at the Talbot Hotel in Oundle on their joint venture.

Madison said: "We are absolutely thrilled. It’s very humbling to be winning such a prestigious award after just our first year of trading, and to be considered for the award alongside many other fine establishments across the UK.

"This year has posed many challenges, from finding our feet in our first business venture, to tackling adversities caused by the coronavirus pandemic."

Although only 21, the former Prince William School pupil has been working in the pub trade for more than five years, starting with a part-time role in her home town of Oundle.

It was while working at the Talbot Hotel that Madison discovered her love of the hospitality industry and met chef Zak, 28.

The ambitious pair saw that The Falcon was for sale - a pub that Madison had often visited with parents Jennifer and Richard - but it was not until the leasehold became available that the couple's dream was realised.

She said: "I started in the hotel from the age of 16. I loved making a dining experience for the guests giving them a special occasion.

"I love Zak's style of cooking. He trained in France under chef Frédéric Bau. He uses Japanese influences and Zak uses that in his cooking. He's a trained pastry chef and we like to experiment with different food from around the world."

The stone pub offers log fires in the winter and a terrace and garden in the summer months, as well as serving food from the a la carte menu in the orangery restaurant overlooking the historic St Mary and All Saints Church - bar food and takeaways are also available.

Dishes for December include chestnut, smoked pancetta and onion puff pastry tart, with mushroom ketchup, and raw and sautéed chestnut mushrooms; roasted maple cured chalk stream trout, beurre blanc split with chive oil, roasted crushed new potatoes and braised fennel; and braised pork shoulder, swede fondants, hispi cabbage and lentils.

The pub employs that a team of 14 kitchen and front-of-house staff, also stocks locally brewed beers.

A family affair, many of the ingredients for the dishes are grown by Zak and Madison's mums - Jane and Jennifer - both of whom are keen gardeners. Other items are sourced from local estates, farms and businesses from Northamptonshire and beyond.

Madison said: "It is important to us to source our meats and ingredients locally and responsibly.

"We have such a great team who we inherited when we took over the business. They are all quite young but really good.

"We would like to thank everybody who has supported us through our first year - our family, friends, our work colleagues, suppliers, and local businesses."

The Falcon opens Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 11pm, serving food between 12pm and 8pm. Last orders at the bar are 9.30pm and closes at 11pm.

On Sunday the pub opens from 12 noon to 4pm, serving food between 12pm and 2pm. Last orders at 3.30pm.

For bookings please visit the Falcon Inn website by clicking here or call 01832 226254.