Celebrity food places
Discussion
Ham_and_Jam said:
I really have no aspirations of going to a pub or restaurant because it’s owned by a celebrity.
I’ve started eating and dining out more locally in recent years. For me it’s all about enjoying the atmosphere with good friends and family.
Absolutely. Far better to support local businesses than people who have more than enough money already.I’ve started eating and dining out more locally in recent years. For me it’s all about enjoying the atmosphere with good friends and family.
mickythefish said:
Been watching a lot of reviews on netflix , just wondered what people thought. Seen Jeremy Clarksons new place, good quality food but sold out of main food. To me just looks like standard farm pub place.
James May's pub gets good reviews.
Seems clarkson is loosing money on food. Find that hard to believe. But if true, does show how hard it is to run a pub now.James May's pub gets good reviews.
richhead said:
mickythefish said:
Been watching a lot of reviews on netflix , just wondered what people thought. Seen Jeremy Clarksons new place, good quality food but sold out of main food. To me just looks like standard farm pub place.
James May's pub gets good reviews.
Seems clarkson is loosing money on food. Find that hard to believe. But if true, does show how hard it is to run a pub now.James May's pub gets good reviews.
craigjm said:
He is losing money on the food but only because of his own rules. He has insisted that everything used in the pub is sourced from the UK and that makes some ingredients, even some basics like black pepper many many 10s of times more expensive than it would be if he was using the usual international supply chain.
i don't buy it he loses money on food, food is probably biggest profit margin products. the mains
Sausage of the day, mash, Hawkstone gravy, onions - £18
Gammon steak, bubble and squeak, parsley sauce - £19
Lancashire hot pot - £19
Steak pie, mash, Hawkstone gravy - £19
Vegetable and cheddar crumble - £15
nothing there that would cost a lot to make. he invested a million plus, he will not make money for a year, but he ain't making a loss. Near me a butcher brought a pub, meat comes from across the road abattoir. Makes a killing massive portions, tasty food, no celebrity endorsement.
^^^ As someone pointed out above, the venture is sourcing all ingredients in the UK, that will come at a premium.
The costs are far more, than just the ingredients, you could be serving chip butty’s, at twenty quid a pop, and still lose money.
“Hand cut, thrice fried, russet potato’s on a bed of ……………………..”
Is Clarkson, also now highlighting the plight of the poor pub landlord/restaurateur?
The costs are far more, than just the ingredients, you could be serving chip butty’s, at twenty quid a pop, and still lose money.
“Hand cut, thrice fried, russet potato’s on a bed of ……………………..”
Is Clarkson, also now highlighting the plight of the poor pub landlord/restaurateur?
He highlights stuff when it is of interest to his own needs. How long has he owned the farm, 16 years, when it suited him he suddenly became the spokesperson for all farmers in the countryside.
He isn't making a loss, locally sourced products are easy. But it is like why doesn't he use hemp in his t shirts instead of cotton. Hemp is grown in the UK. Cotton isn't.
What he is doing is absolutely no different to the farm shop that have been doing this for decades already.
He isn't making a loss, locally sourced products are easy. But it is like why doesn't he use hemp in his t shirts instead of cotton. Hemp is grown in the UK. Cotton isn't.
What he is doing is absolutely no different to the farm shop that have been doing this for decades already.
mickythefish said:
He highlights stuff when it is of interest to his own needs. How long has he owned the farm, 16 years, when it suited him he suddenly became the spokesperson for all farmers in the countryside.
He isn't making a loss, locally sourced products are easy. But it is like why doesn't he use hemp in his t shirts instead of cotton. Hemp is grown in the UK. Cotton isn't.
What he is doing is absolutely no different to the farm shop that have been doing this for decades already.
Wasn't he contractually obliged to make a show on his own as part of his contract with the grand tour same as the other 2? He wasn't that involved in the farm as it was managed before this. It was one of those how hard can this be moments where he gave it a go.He isn't making a loss, locally sourced products are easy. But it is like why doesn't he use hemp in his t shirts instead of cotton. Hemp is grown in the UK. Cotton isn't.
What he is doing is absolutely no different to the farm shop that have been doing this for decades already.
It turned out clarksons farm became a bit of a hit, as he is very very good at what he does, but I think it surprised even him?
JimmyConwayNW said:
Wasn't he contractually obliged to make a show on his own as part of his contract with the grand tour same as the other 2? He wasn't that involved in the farm as it was managed before this. It was one of those how hard can this be moments where he gave it a go.
It turned out clarksons farm became a bit of a hit, as he is very very good at what he does, but I think it surprised even him?
No clue. He has always done things for his own self interests. I don't buy it as now a champion for British farmers, he is championing himself.It turned out clarksons farm became a bit of a hit, as he is very very good at what he does, but I think it surprised even him?
Farmers have been destroyed by 30 years of governments. Too little too late.
mickythefish said:
i don't buy it he loses money on food, food is probably biggest profit margin products.
the mains
Sausage of the day, mash, Hawkstone gravy, onions - £18
Gammon steak, bubble and squeak, parsley sauce - £19
Lancashire hot pot - £19
Steak pie, mash, Hawkstone gravy - £19
Vegetable and cheddar crumble - £15
nothing there that would cost a lot to make. he invested a million plus, he will not make money for a year, but he ain't making a loss. Near me a butcher brought a pub, meat comes from across the road abattoir. Makes a killing massive portions, tasty food, no celebrity endorsement.
the mains
Sausage of the day, mash, Hawkstone gravy, onions - £18
Gammon steak, bubble and squeak, parsley sauce - £19
Lancashire hot pot - £19
Steak pie, mash, Hawkstone gravy - £19
Vegetable and cheddar crumble - £15
nothing there that would cost a lot to make. he invested a million plus, he will not make money for a year, but he ain't making a loss. Near me a butcher brought a pub, meat comes from across the road abattoir. Makes a killing massive portions, tasty food, no celebrity endorsement.
mickythefish said:
JimmyConwayNW said:
Wasn't he contractually obliged to make a show on his own as part of his contract with the grand tour same as the other 2? He wasn't that involved in the farm as it was managed before this. It was one of those how hard can this be moments where he gave it a go.
It turned out clarksons farm became a bit of a hit, as he is very very good at what he does, but I think it surprised even him?
No clue. He has always done things for his own self interests. I don't buy it as now a champion for British farmers, he is championing himself.It turned out clarksons farm became a bit of a hit, as he is very very good at what he does, but I think it surprised even him?
Farmers have been destroyed by 30 years of governments. Too little too late.
He had a tenant farmer, who retired - and instead of finding another, decided to get involved. Kaleb was clearly intended to be the 'primary' farmer - then Amazon and Lockdown kicked in, and again he's quite open about how he fell in love with the lifestyle (including the challenges).
He's never suggested anything was rooted in some kind of charitable position, but what he has done is become increasingly aware of the plight of normal farmers. Hence doing a lot for the local small producers.
There's no more to it than that, and bias against him based on unrelated activity is somewhat prejudiced.
Well that quickly descended into a row about Clarkson, who'd have thunk it 
Back on topic, despite what some would insist restaurants and pubs are having a massively hard time of it due to ever-rising costs so it's not exactly a lucrative market to jump into. That said, Robert De Niro actually co-owns Nobu which if you've never been is very good, however like a lot of the others he's let the food/chef/staff do the important stuff. Most of Guy Ritchie's pubs are pretty good, again with sustainable/UK-sourced produce. Sir Ian McKellen's pub The Grapes is another nice place, with decent food.
I think the common denominator in all the good places is that the celeb goes in with someone who knows what they're doing, shows an interest but knows when to step aside and take advice from the professional. Their name can drive media coverage but the place will stand or fall on it's quality.
See the Sidemens latest venture "Sides" for a business that I'd put money on will fold in 18 - 24 months (physical locations certainly if not completely).
Back on topic, despite what some would insist restaurants and pubs are having a massively hard time of it due to ever-rising costs so it's not exactly a lucrative market to jump into. That said, Robert De Niro actually co-owns Nobu which if you've never been is very good, however like a lot of the others he's let the food/chef/staff do the important stuff. Most of Guy Ritchie's pubs are pretty good, again with sustainable/UK-sourced produce. Sir Ian McKellen's pub The Grapes is another nice place, with decent food.
I think the common denominator in all the good places is that the celeb goes in with someone who knows what they're doing, shows an interest but knows when to step aside and take advice from the professional. Their name can drive media coverage but the place will stand or fall on it's quality.
See the Sidemens latest venture "Sides" for a business that I'd put money on will fold in 18 - 24 months (physical locations certainly if not completely).
C5 Steve; Well that quickly descended into a row about Clarkson, who'd have thunk it
My reply above may appear somewhat glib, it wasn’t intended to be.
“Is Clarkson, also now highlighting the plight of the poor, pub landlord/restaurateur?”
Clarkson is an excellent journalist, who champions unexpected causes (often with a sledge hammer), because he has the means to do so.
Look at some of the issues he’s raised recently, regarding farming and the environment, he doesn’t just pay them lip service, he highlights them in a relatable way.
Business is no different, there are so many difficulties they face, due to factors outside their control, if he is able to highlight that, good!
My reply above may appear somewhat glib, it wasn’t intended to be.
“Is Clarkson, also now highlighting the plight of the poor, pub landlord/restaurateur?”
Clarkson is an excellent journalist, who champions unexpected causes (often with a sledge hammer), because he has the means to do so.
Look at some of the issues he’s raised recently, regarding farming and the environment, he doesn’t just pay them lip service, he highlights them in a relatable way.
Business is no different, there are so many difficulties they face, due to factors outside their control, if he is able to highlight that, good!
daqinggregg said:
C5 Steve; Well that quickly descended into a row about Clarkson, who'd have thunk it
My reply above may appear somewhat glib, it wasn’t intended to be.
“Is Clarkson, also now highlighting the plight of the poor, pub landlord/restaurateur?”
Clarkson is an excellent journalist, who champions unexpected causes (often with a sledge hammer), because he has the means to do so.
Look at some of the issues he’s raised recently, regarding farming and the environment, he doesn’t just pay them lip service, he highlights them in a relatable way.
Business is no different, there are so many difficulties they face, due to factors outside their control, if he is able to highlight that, good!
My comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular My reply above may appear somewhat glib, it wasn’t intended to be.
“Is Clarkson, also now highlighting the plight of the poor, pub landlord/restaurateur?”
Clarkson is an excellent journalist, who champions unexpected causes (often with a sledge hammer), because he has the means to do so.
Look at some of the issues he’s raised recently, regarding farming and the environment, he doesn’t just pay them lip service, he highlights them in a relatable way.
Business is no different, there are so many difficulties they face, due to factors outside their control, if he is able to highlight that, good!
I actually agree with your view though, he knows anything that draws attention is a positive so he does it in his own way. I've no intention of driving to his farm to buy his stuff specifically but if it makes more people think about supporting local independents then all the better.
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