Staff

Chris spent almost three years with us on the roving circuit, working across most of our pubs. Pre-B&P, Chris worked in a variety of management roles in hotels. He found a happy home in Cheshire some seven years, ago and hasn’t looked back since. Outside work, he is busy honing his guitar playing skills (sorry neighbours) and introducing consistency to his erratic golf game. He resides in the Hall with his wife Faye, a children’s nurse, who also doesn’t like to talk about ghosts.

Jodie was part of the opening crew at Old Hall, when she recently graduated with a 2:1 in Events Management from Leeds University, so we took the opportunity to snap her up full time. Jodie is our very own little ray of sunshine, always smiling and making those around her smile too. We predict a bright future on planet Jodie, so watch this space.

Eva is a northerner at heart who has been living down south for a few years but has maintained her northern roots and some sort of an accent. She graduated with a degree in Drama and English and found herself in pubs, where she's been ever since - a natural progression from her life as a student. Eva is a self-confessed foodie and loves nothing better than eating, washing down her favourite dishes with a drop of Shiraz or two. She is a keen cook and can boast coming third in the National Spam cook of the year competition.

Jamie is known to one and all as Jamie Runcorn, because that's where he lives - makes sense, really. He is originally from Widnes, so we could have called him Jamie Widnes, but Jamie Runcorn has more of a ring to it. Let’s hope he doesn’t move to Mold. Jamie has been cooking professionally for twenty years, and when he's not cooking he likes to go for long walks, as often as not with his rod, as he's a keen fisherman.

Lee's cheffy career has taken him the length and breadth of the country, working for big hotels, celebrity chefs and most recently heading up the kitchens at another local food pub. When he's not enjoying the cut and thrust of the kitchen, Lee relaxes by playing pool and making the most of his time off with his partner and baby son.

Since first joining the crew at the Armoury in Shrewsbury as a part-timer in June 2004 Tom, (aka the bear), has gone from strength to strength. He made the move to the Hand and Trumpet kitchens where he met Jamie and Paul, and they’ve been a team ever since. Watch out for paw prints in your food.

Keiran recently returned to good old blighty after lengthy stint abroad as a chef in an upmarket resort in Cyprus. Prior to this he has also worked in some high profile eating spots around Cheshire, so he knows his sausages. Keiron is a fitness fanatic and a competitive chap, as was proven when he was crowned the winner of the 'dance off' at a recent staff bash.

Louis, pronouced Loo-eee, as in Louis Armstrong, has an old head on a young set of shoulders. Quietly beavering away about his work, he is the kitchen dark horse and has a sense of humour dryer than the Sahara dessert. Louis balances his love of all things foodie with his other love of all things fuel injected.

Sophie joined our kitchen crew in December 2012. She has packed a lot into her short chefy career thus far, and has big plans for the future. A stint at London's renowned Petrus restaurant gave her a taste for the sweeter things in life and she makes the meanest sticky toffee pudding this side of Birmingham.

Matthew joined us at opening as a casual kitchen porter. His interest in the pub was sparked by his grandfather, Malcolm, who was the chairman of SOHAG (Save the Old Hall action group). As well as being an all round great bloke and a promising chef, he also does a pretty good impression of Mr. Bean.

Ian is a Cheshire lad through and through. Many moons again, he was a chef, before being lured away to manufacture paper. Realising the error of his ways, Ian took the plunge and has come back to enjoy life in the kitchen. In between house renovations and gardening, Ian enjoys holidays away in his caravan with his two miniature dachshunds Bailey and Colby.

After a lengthy search for the right person, we came accross Rob. He's had an intersting career in HR and most recently a good stint at a local garden centre. Rob is a perfectionist and if a job's worth doing it's worth doing right, he also knows his way around a toolbox. This, combined with a good working knowledge of all things green, make him the perfect man for the job.

It's difficult to say who is more famous round these parts, Jill or Old Hall. She is a cheerful and happy sole who takes great pride in her work - floor buffing is a pasion. Chris is on record saying he will never allow her to leave and has suggested turning the ladies powder room into a granny flat should the need arise many years from now.

Yvonne lives with her partner Colin and son Joe. She has a pet rabbit called Elmo and a Guineau pig called Beep. When she is not busy with family, pets or work, she loves to shop. Her favourite cheese is Brie.