Henry Moore pub reopens

This weekend sees the reopening of sculptor Henry Moore’s local pub, The Hoops Inn, as a joint venture by the Henry Moore Foundation and boutique contract caterers, Harbour & Jones.

Located within the Henry Moore estate in Perry Green, near Much Hadham in Hertfordshire, the early 19th century building will offer a traditional pub dining room to cater for the local community as well as Moore fans, who visit the site to see the largest collection of his work.

The pub itself has been restored with a focus on natural materials, while preserving many of its original features, including the large fireplace. Two of Moore’s textile designs have been incorporated into the soft furnishings, with Moore prints and images relating to his life decorating the walls.

The kitchen will be headed up by Candice Webber, former head chef at The Restaurant at St Paul’s, while former Good Pub Guide Inn of the Year winners, Lowri and Mark Williams, will manage the pub.

The 45-cover pub will serve carefully sourced seasonal British dishes. Options include bar snacks of Suffolk pork crackling with Bramley apple sauce, all-day platters of English charcuterie, potted shrimp and more substantial dishes such as organic salmon with English spinach and caper butter. Sunday roasts carved at the table will be an integral part of the food offer.

The drinks menu features cask ales, draught beers and a wide selection of ciders and perries. Guests can also choose from a range of English and European wines as well as premium spirits, with classic cocktails on offer including the dirty gin Martini or the retro Advocaat snowball.

Richard Calvocoressi, director of The Henry Moore Foundation, said: “We are very excited about opening The Hoops Inn, and about the quality of the dining experience we can now offer locals and visitors to The Foundation.

“Over the past year we have worked closely with Harbour & Jones and have benefitted greatly from their guidance and standards. We hope our new venture will have the rural informality of a village pub, but with the innovation and modernity that the Moores brought to life at Perry Green.”

For more information visit www.hoops-inn.co.uk

Gabriel Savage, 23.11.2010