Posted: 7th May 2021
AWARD-WINNING LICENSEES TAKE OVER HISTORIC VILLAGE INN
Award-winning licensees Joe and Jane Mullane are the new faces behind the bar at the New Flying Horse in Wye, near Ashford.
The couple have moved to the historic village inn from the Four Fathoms in Herne Bay - both sites owned by Shepherd Neame. They took over the Four Fathoms at the start of 2018, and during their time at the town centre pub transformed it into one of Kent’s most talked-about dining locations, thanks to a quirky new look and an innovative menu that featured deconstructed pub classics. It was named Pub of the Year at the 2018 Kent Life Food and Drink Awards.
“We enjoyed our time at the Four Fathoms and it did very well for us,” said Joe. “But during lockdown we had time to reflect on things, and felt that we needed a new challenge. As soon as we saw the New Flying Horse we fell in love with the place. The pub has got incredible gardens and is set in a fantastic location. It ticked all the boxes for us and has the potential to become the greatest pub in Kent.”
As with the Four Fathoms, food will be central to the offering, While Jane will be front of house, Head Chef Joe will oversee operations in the kitchen. Joe, 57, quit a high profile job in the City at the age of 40 to train as a chef and is passionate about food and ingredients.
While the Four Fathoms became well known for such spectacular dishes as Fish Pie in 3D and Steak and Chips Circa 1970, the food offering at the New Flying Horse will be a little more traditional, although Joe is once again being led by local produce.
“The menu will be very simple but at the same time spectacular,” he said. “We have a fabulous larder all around us here in Wye. The produce available locally is just fantastic and we’d be fools not to use it. Everything is on our doorstep. I walked the dog the other morning and we went through a field. On one side of us was purple sprouting broccoli and on the other asparagus. It’s just fantastic to have this great quality produce so close to us. It’s like a chef’s dream.”
Dairy produce comes from a local farm while pork and lamb is sourced within a mile of the pub. Joe and Jane have also teamed up with The Wooden Spoon Preserving Company, who are also based in Wye. The result is a bespoke piccalilli with Whitstable Bay Black Stout as one of its key ingredients.
Joe and Jane both love spending time in Italy, and this too will be reflected in the menu.
Joe said: “It might sound odd, but in a way Wye reminds us of Tuscany. So we’re taking inspiration from Italian food. We have excellent charcuterie, both local and Italian, and locally caught fish will also feature. The menu will be a mix of all the pub food we’ve missed during lockdown, with a twist, and we also want to hint at all the foreign holidays we haven’t been able to go on. It will be honest and authentic food.”
Situated in the pretty village of Wye, on the edge of the Kent downs, the New Flying Horse can trace its history back to the 16th century. It is famous for its spectacular garden area, part of which is a Chelsea Pensioner themed creation designed by Julian Dowle. It won a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2005 before being transported to Wye.
Accommodation is also offered in nine stylish en-suite bedrooms, some in the pub’s 17th century posting house and others in the converted coach house. They have been carefully refurbished to retain the original character and charm of the buildings while offering the latest facilities.
The New Flying Horse is central to village life in Wye but is also popular with both visitors from further afield and cyclists.
“The New Flying Horse is a village pub,” said Jane, “so our first priority is to cater for the people of Wye, while also working to ensure that it is a popular destination for customers from across Kent and farther afield. After such a challenging year, we are really enjoying this exciting new opportunity.”
For more information visit www.newflyinghorsewye.co.uk or call 01233 812297.