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An inspector calls

As a chef and landlord, you always want people to enjoy what you do. It may not always be that way but you do all you can to ensure the food and service you provide is the best. This chosen career of ours has many critics. Anyone can cook but can anyone actually continue to cook for 14 hours a day for any given amount of people without too much prior notice? How long can you go before you break and lose all self control? Suggestions, please, of what you should do and how you should do it. As I say, we have so many critics.

I have always said to myself and anyone interested in listening that I would love to see the AA come out and give us some feedback on the pub. The ultimate goal was for us to have a rosette for our food. That would put the pub in the top 1,800 establishments in the UK. Top 1,800 I here you say, not that good is it! Well, have a think about how many pubs, restaurants, hotels and eating establishments there are in Suffolk alone.

Anyway, back to our ultimate goal. Imagine our surprise to find an inspector sitting in our pub in our village. Wow, that’s what we work for. He chose his meal of chicken liver parfait, apple chutney and warm brioche followed by venison saddle with its own cottage pie and braised red cabbage. Not content with 2 courses, he dived into a pudding of chocolate mousse with peanut sponge and confit oranges. A cup of coffee with home made biscuit to complete his lunch, he made his way to the bar. A request to speak to me confirmed my thoughts.

We talked openly about our fine village pub and what the pub was here for. After all, this is your local village pub that has to appeal to so many different customers. We need to be the venue for the cosy anniversary dinner; the place to sneak off to because cooking is too much effort tonight and the place you go to for a chat and a pint of Suffolk’s best kept beer.

He decided that as the menu stood, we were more than worthy of the AA rosette award. We have a wide selection of dishes that need to be on the menu because of where we are and our customer base. Scampi being one of those dishes and this is not one that would be worthy of two rosettes. However, the venison, which is a superb dish, is worth the 2 rosette award. You need to make that decision as to whether you please the customer with a variety of dishes or you lose customers and go looking for awards.

Critics always have a dig at pubs for turning into restaurants but sometimes you have to do something a little bit special to get people to travel out to Brandeston and pay us a visit. That is what we are trying to do here. The days of people all going to the pub each night have long since passed. Going out to eat good food in relaxed surroundings is the order of the day.

So what happens now? We have a look at our offer here and continue to work hard. No sitting back and resting here. We will continue to develop the menu and build a repertoire of quality dishes for all to enjoy. Our offer will always remain competitive and do all we can to accommodate as many different requests as possible. One thing for sure, we have now made ourselves known and will continue to do all we can to build on our reputation. I have completed three years here now and have no plans of going just yet. Please continue to support us and we will continue to support the village. There is so much to look forward to in 2010. The Brandeston Weekend is the highlight. On the food front, more chutneys added to the range if we can get the recipe how we want it; build on the rosette and add to it if we are worthy, but above all to be here for the village.

The wish list has a small shop on it selling quality produce from the region and the caravan site built before the spring season.

Wildest dreams would see the barns converted into bed and breakfast accommodation working in harmony with the village bed and breakfasts so that more people can enjoy our village. Until then, we will continue working as hard as we do. I look forward to welcoming you to The Queen’s Head soon and maybe reserve you a table for some wonderful food worthy of an AA recommendation.

As well as the village web site, you can always keep up to date with us on Twitter at queensheadbrand.

The Queen’s Head menus are available here.

The Queen’s Head Inn

The Street, Brandeston, IP13 7AD

Phone 01728 685307

thequeensheadinn@brandeston.net

Hello to all in Brandeston and those that visit our village web site.

As you may be aware, I have been at The Queen’s Head now for seven months. A lot of hard work has been done and will continue to be done until I decide to retire or they cart me off to rest.

I would like to take some time to express a few things, in no particular order, with you all.

1. Dan and Jodie are now in the final stages of preparation for their Australian adventure. I, along with all of Brandeston, will be sorry to see them go and wish them all the luck in the world with whatever they plan to do in the future. Who knows, they may come back in a year’s time all bronzed and wanting jobs here again.
2. We have a new member of the team starting on Monday 23 April. Toby is an experienced food and beverage manager who is looking forward to getting stuck into his role alongside me and the rest of the team here at The Queen. I am sure you will all welcome him just as you did me when I arrived.
3. Steve is settling well into his role as Head Chef. He is up for the challenge that a busy summer will offer him and I am actively seeking a new chef to work alongside him and help drive the food forward. Perry remains as our young apprentice and is coming on in leaps and bounds. Kyle remains his usual smiley self behind our bar and is somewhat forgetful but ever so friendly. A true icebreaker in any situation.
4. Its official!!!! We open on Bank Holiday Mondays. A bumper Easter was had by all - 100 lunches and 22 dinners on the Monday. Now, that is a positive move forward; let’s not sit back - come along and join the fun in May and August. If the weather is as good as it is now, then best I buy a pair of roller skates!
5. After what must seem like months of hard weekend working, my parents have managed to transform the front of the pub and its gardens. They look superb and are a pleasure to sit in, I am sure. The back field will soon be ready to welcome visitors to our lovely village for relaxing holidays in tents or caravans. Those that have visited so far have commented on how peaceful and delightful the village is. We have that pleasure every day of the week.
6. I have taken it upon myself to care for the patch of ground by the village sign. This has been noted by those in the village and I thank you for thanking me. I would like to see a small patch of grass removed at some stage and planted with bulbs and flowers for next spring. Everyone takes pride in their gardens and they all look amazing as you walk down the Street so it seems a shame to leave our green out. If anyone would like to volunteer to assist in this I would be truly grateful.
7. I cannot forget the lovely Jane. At busy times she has fitted in to help me out with many jobs at the pub. Very often seen by people but not sure of her role, she is the lady who tries to keep me sane and keep me in line and in check every now and then. I am thankful to Jane for sticking it out because I am a nightmare to be with as rest is something I don't do well. Thank you.
8. Lastly, I would like to thank the people of Brandeston and all our customers for supporting us in the winter time. It wasn't easy when the snow came and all the tables cancelled. It wasn't easy sitting here looking at an empty pub some nights. Our reward was seeing you all come in for a chat, a pint, a glass of wine and all of you who came out for our “Feast on a Tenner” nights. These will return in the autumn. So to you all - thank you.

I will now wish you well, have a fantastic summer and join us all at The Queen’s Head when you can. There is always good beer on tap and chilled wine to enjoy. I have one other major job to do at the pub for the benefit of the local community, and I will unveil the final plans for that when it all gets sorted properly.

Thank you.

Alan Randall

Landlord and a proud adopted Brandeston resident.

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