Staff

We came across Rob at the Highwayman in the Lake District, which had just won a couple of major awards. By guile and cunning, she tempted him to come south and throw in his lot with us. A sporty chap, Rob played footie for Oldham Athletic as a 16 year old, and was captain of his university team (Stafford, where he read Film Studies). He has a passion for Blues and Bourbon, which is an admirable foundation for life.

Jamie had worked at the Pant on and off over the years and has joined the roving circuit following graduation from Leeds University in Sports Science. He’s a big rugby fan, and is from solid Scotish stock so has been known to be tempted by the kilt. He has B&P DNA running through his veins, living life to the full through beer, wine and food.

Maria or “Ickle Byfords”, is now on her second stint at the Hare, having recently decided to return from the playboy paradise of Peurto Benuse to return to the playboy paradise of Langton Green. Maria previously worked in and around offices, and more recently Bank telling, but now prefers the extreme sport of Chef-baiting, despite her diminutive stance.

Joey went to Lincoln University where he studied criminology, before deciding that a career in crime wasn’t for him. He is the Hare’s cellar monkey, and tends his beers with loving attention (although he himself prefers a slightly Bohemian gin and cranberry). He has recently spent a week on a charity mission to Africa, and when not working his socks off, enjoys a spot of white water kayaking. Joey was the social secretary at uni, and his hosting skills are legendary.

James started at the beginning of May 2009 after a nine month golf sabbatical that took him all over the world. When he's not on the stove he seems to find plenty of other work to keep him occupied (his handicap has suffered) or if time allows, his head will be under the bonnet of one of a myriad of large Mercedes he drives, although his pride and joy is a maroon Ford Ka. There's no accounting for taste.

Imaginatively nicknamed Bruce, Eddie hails from Oz and has heard all the jokes about chucking crustaceans on outdoor cooking ranges. He worked in top quality restaurants in his hometown of Sydney and Bondi before moving to Surrey and getting a taste for all things English, especially the countryside. When Eddie is not beavering away in the kitchens, he spends his time doing a fair impression of a grease monkey, making constant improvements to his RX7 Kawasaki.

Gabs arrived in January from Carluccio's, where he worked as sous chef for three years. As our senior chef de partie he has astounded everyone with a horizontal attitude and ability to prep for Monday in the middle of Sunday service. A native of Slovakia he kept his love of Liverpool FC quiet during his interview with Rob, which was definitely a wise thing to do.

One of the foundations of the kitchen, Chris started with us in 1997 and is still going strong keeping everything going. He works overtime every week to keep the kitchen spotless, and on top of that he makes a mean sticky toffee pudding.

Luke joined us in the summer of 2010, and, it has to be said, he has a somewhat piratical look about him. His moustache and beard are the envy of the pub and he has a quite spectacular array of hats to complete the ensemble. He's never happier than when spatchcocking chickens in the gallery with his cutlass, but his hook has proved to be quite a hindrance when trying to carry three plates to the pass.

Dean joined us at the beginning of May 2011 following active service as an army chef, having served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Belize. Dean has three daughters who he dotes on, and a fine set of golf clubs that he idolizes.

Janet started at the Hare in 1987, long before Brunning and Price took the pub, and is a mother figure to the crew new and old. She is one of the rocks on which the pub is built, and when you phone the pub in the morning it is more than likely that she’ll be the one helping you.