Food from across the world is served at this cosy West Yorkshire dining location.
As many pubs in the UK still face closure with pressure from many sides and up to 21 pubs a week closing their doors, publicans today have a monumental task to keep their businesses competitive, fresh and successful. Mark Hogan and Caroline Kimber, who together run The Butchers Arms in Hepworth, just outside Holmfirth work tirelessly with their team to keep the doors open.
The couple have been at the pub since March 2014, since then they have created their own identity for the pub and incorporate a range of events and eclectic menus throughout the year.
The traditional bar with stone floors and an open fire is a haven for walkers who enjoy the many routes around this beautiful corner of the Holme Valley. The pub offers a range of well kept Yorkshire cask ales and it is no surprise that the pub holds it’s Cask Marque and has been named Huddersfield CAMRA pub of the season.
The restaurant offers a French inspired menu which reflects the time Mark spent in the South of France learning to cook, with delights such as ‘Duo de Canard’-locally reared duck breast, duck confit croquettes, pommes Parisienne, fresh English cherries roasted almonds and cherry sauce or Grilled Scallops with fresh pea and mint puree and pea shoot salad, both of which have been very popular. As well as offering a sophisticated a la carte menu, a bar menu and wood fired pizzas the pub offers regular tasting and themed menus. The pub entered the ‘Top 50 Gastro Pubs” list at number 35 this year, one of only three from Yorkshire.
The pub will be hosting a Thai Tapas evening on the 15th September, with a range of Thai street food style dishes on offer that reflect Mark’s love of travel and time spent in South East Asia. The evening is a great opportunity to taste a range of South East Asian dishes, with stuffed betel leaves, crispy tamarind king prawns, soy and ginger chicken in Pandanus leaves on the menu.
13th October sees one of the pub’s seasonal tasting menus; these regularly sell out and are a real ‘jewel in the crown’ of the event schedule. five courses of local and seasonal food to include; Pumpkin and Sage Arancini on a blue cheese salad, Mouclade- classic mussels in a mild curry sauce, Local pheasant breast with game jus on bed of Puy lentils with roasted heritage carrots and rosemary potato gratin, an artisan cheese plate follows and the meal is completed with a Blackberry Assiette, miniature blackberry crumble, panna cotta with blackberry compote and blackberry ice cream. At £39 per head the menu offers both excellent quality and value. Booking is essential and places are limited.
With ‘Gin Safaris’ on September 29th and October 20th, these fun events offer a range of gins from all over the globe with nibbles and snacks throughout the evening. £40 includes up to 6 gins and mixers, this is great way to get together and enjoy the diverse range of gins that are now available without having to commit to buying a bottle!
If you love Thai food but can’t replicate the flavours yourself then perhaps a day with Mark on his Thai cookery course is what you need! 10th September and 7th October, from 10am-3pm you can learn how to turn out perfect rice, make curry pastes and stir fries, learn about selecting and sourcing ingredients, balance menus and match wines in a relaxed and low key environment. £70 includes ingredients, materials and a glass of wine or beer to enjoy with your food.
The couple demonstrate that running a village pub today is so much more than just pulling pints, an ever-changing event schedule and constantly revising menus are all part of keeping those wheels turning and making sure villages like Hepworth retain their only pub.
Menus and event details available at www.thebutchersarms-hepworth.co.uk or call 01484 687147.
