Margot Henderson OBE to open her first pub 

Chef Margot Henderson OBE has revealed she will open her first pub, The Three Horseshoes, in Somerset in November. 

The 17th century inn, which is in the village of Batcombe in Shepton Mallet , has been restored, and Henderson plans to offer fare that will be “heartfelt, wholesome and celebrate the very best produce” alongside “a succinct wine list, and plenty of local ales” with bar snacks including: crisp pig’s skin, smoked cod’s roe, potted pork and veal mince on toast.

The Dining room will serve up Margot’s robust British cooking, championing local greats including the family-run smokery, Brown and Forest; Swaledale; Westcombe Dairy and Feltham’s Farm. Dishes like devilled crab and focaccia, green bean, roast shallot and anchovy or Wetscoombe ricotta nudi with sage and butter will be available alongside hearty mains such as chicken and tarragon pie, grilled brill, fennel, chard and green sauce or lemon sole and gribiche, all finished with puddings such as plum and Somerset apple crumble or custard tarts and local cheeses with cobnuts.

The pub, which has five bedrooms, will offer overnight guests Margot’s ‘Full Somerset’ breakfast of bacon and eggs, pastries, and fresh bread the next morning.

Originally from New Zealand, where she trained as a chef, Henderson later moved to London and started working at The French House in Soho, where she met her husband, Fergus Henderson, founder of St John. She later opened Rochelle Canteen on Arnold Circus, with Melanie Arnold before publishing her first book ‘You’re All Invited’ which focused on recipes centred around entertaining and catering for groups of guests and celebrations.